Crop progress report 10/18: Washington had cool temperatures

From NASS There were 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, down from 6.2 days the previous week. The San Juan County harvests were closing down with more moisture and cooler temperatures last week. Pastures rebounded with cool season grasses. Some fields were replanted. Most of the tree fruit crops were harvested, but some late apples, quince and Asian pears were still hanging on trees. Warm season vegetables were slowing down as cool season vegetables were entering their prime. Skagit County was wet last week. No frost was reported in Yakima County as the lowest nighttime temperatures dropped to the mid-30s. Vegetable harvests were wrapping up, but some producers still had peppers, tomatoes, tomatillos and winter squashes to harvest. Many fields were plowed under last week. Field corn operators tried to push through harvest. Field crews in hop fields were reeling in irrigation lines. Later maturing varieties of Braeburn, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious and Fuji apples arrived in packinghouses. Northeast Washington had cold rain. Pastures in Adams County were in good condition, but they stopped growing due to the cool temperatures. Dry bean harvest benefited from favorable conditions and was winding down.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 1% very poor 2% poor 27% fair 58% good 12% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Winter wheat planted: 88% this week 79% last week 84% last year 86% 5-year average Winter wheat emerged: 65% this week 55% last week 61% last year 61% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 4th cutting: 86% this week 82% last week 77% last year 85% 5-year average