Crop progress 0506: Planting, spraying underway in Washington

From NASS There were 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Pasture and range conditions were reported at 2 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 56 percent good and 8 percent excellent. A low temperature of 31 degrees F was reported in the northeast region, while a high temperature of 85 degrees F was reported in the southeast region. The statewide temperature differential ranged from 1 degree to 11 degrees above normal. The Olympic Peninsula and northwest Washington reported dry, warm weather. This allowed producers to cut grass fields and livestock to go out to pasture this last week. Whatcom County started corn and potato planting. Snohomish County had blueberries, strawberries, apples, and pears in bloom. Excess soil moisture in many locations in San Juan County led to delayed barley and no-till plantings. Chelan and Douglas Counties had apple and pear trees in bloom; livestock producers finished calving in this area. Canola began to bloom and a few winter peas started to flower. The northeast corner of the state reported spring wheat being completely seeded. Klickitat County had strong winds early in the week that dried out fields. Fertilizer application was in full swing with lighter winds in the middle of the week. Wine grapes reached pre-bloom stage with six to eight inches of growth. Potato and sweet corn planting continued in Franklin County and the winds cooperated with crop spraying. The Palouse reported a healthy winter wheat crop, most of which has been sprayed.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 0% very poor 2% poor 15% fair 64% good 19% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 1% poor 27% fair 71% good 1% excellent Barley: 1% very poor 2% poor 26% fair 71% good 0% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat planted: 73% this week 78% last week 69% last year 88% 5-year average Spring wheat emerged: 49% this week 30% last week 41% last year 65% 5-year average Winter wheat headed: 4% this week NA last week 1% last year 5% 5-year average Barley planted: 66% this week 57% last week 58% last year 76% 5-year average Barley emerged: 37% this week 18% last week 33% last year 52% 5-year average Oats planted: 25% this week 17% last week 31% last year NA 5-year average Oats emerged: 15% this week NA last week 1% last year NA 5-year average Dry peas planted: 57% this week 40% last week 38% last year 62% 5-year average Dry peas emerged: 22% this week NA last week NA last year NA 5-year average