Crop progress report 07/17: Warmer Weather and Drier Conditions Benefited Washington

From NASS There were 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, up from 6.3 days the previous week. Statewide temperatures were above normal. In western Washington, crops looked great with the recent summer weather. With all the ground moisture, grass and recently planted crops were doing well. Additionally, some hay was baled. In Klickitat County, the weather was much warmer, and there was no precipitation. Pastures continued to look great. The second cutting of hay started as the first cutting wrapped up. Wheat harvest began in the eastern part of the county. In Benton and Yakima counties, daytime temperatures remained in the 90s throughout the week. Fruit growers started to move harvest bins into peach and nectarine orchards. Raspberries and blueberries continued to get harvested. Apple and pear crops sized up and looked good. Field crews were in vegetable fields weeding and harvesting green beans, summer squash, cucumbers and eggplants. Some garlic and onions dried and showed up on roadside stands. Winter wheat fields started to turn golden brown as wheat heads and stems dried out. The hop crop was setting flowers. Sweet corn was tasseling. Northeast Washington saw warmer temperatures and stayed dry. In southeast Washington, good weather continued.

Washington crop condition

Winter wheat: 0% very poor 3% poor 27% fair 54% good 16% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 0% poor 3% fair 78% good 19% excellent Barley: 0% very poor 0% poor 3% fair 80% good 17% excellent Dry edible peas: 0% very poor 0% poor 6% fair 79% good 15% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat headed: 89% this week 74% last week 100% last year 97% 5-year average Spring wheat harvested: 0% this week NA last week 2% last year 0% 5-year average Winter wheat harvested: 3% this week 2% last week 27% last year 11% 5-year average Barley headed: 92% this week 84% last week 100% last year 96% 5-year average Barley harvested: 0% this week NA last week 3% last year 1% 5-year average Dry edible peas harvested: 3% this week 0% last week 11% last year 11% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting: 23% this week 20% last week 76% last year 74% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 3rd cutting: 0% this week NA last week NA last year NA 5-year average