Crop progress 0617: Storms across Washington left few dry spots

From NASS There were 6.2 days suitable for field work last week. Pasture and range conditions were reported at 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 71 percent good and 5 percent excellent. A low temperature of 31 degrees F was reported in the northeast region, while a high temperature of 90 degrees F was reported in the western region. Statewide temperature differentials ranged from 7 degrees below to 3 degrees above normal. Northwestern Washington finished with its first cutting of grass silage. Dry grass cutting was nearly completed. Pastures were drying out. Green beans were planted late this year. Rhubarb was in poor condition. In the Puget Sound, crops were progressing well. Continued warm, dry conditions affected plants in poor soils. Producers were irrigating. East Skagit County received a torrential downpour including hail last week that flooded some fields and damaged crops. Some corn was knee-high in Snohomish County. Raspberries were beginning to redden. The past week resulted in three inches of rain in Clallam County, impeding operators from accessing low-lying fields to plant potatoes. Raspberries began to ripen in Whatcom County. CSAs in San Juan County were loaded with cool season crops and vegetable harvest was ramping up. Grasses set seed heads. Strawberry growers in Snohomish County were fighting with mud and chilly temperatures. The cool temperatures drastically slowed vegetable producers. Alfalfa growers in Klickitat County cut their hay early to avoid alfalfa weevils. The rain in Kittitas County was timely for rangeland forage production and supported late spring growth. A widespread thunderstorm passed through Yakima County on June 16. Cherry producers used a number of strategies to minimize rain damage. Apricots were colored up. Sweet corn fields were at tassel. Hop vines were approaching the top of the trellises. Summer squash, pickling cucumbers and peas started harvest. Asparagus harvest wrapped up. Northeastern Washington had reports of rust. Showers in Franklin County damaged alfalfa and timothy cuttings. Green peas were harvested. Sweet corn and dry beans were being planted. Winter wheat turned golden in many fields. Lincoln County reported frost, black potatoes and some rust, but overall crops were faring well.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 0% very poor 2% poor 10% fair 60% good 28% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 2% poor 16% fair 67% good 15% excellent Barley: 0% very poor 0% poor 12% fair 75% good 13% excellent Oats: 0% very poor 3% poor 27% fair 60% good 10% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat headed: 45% this week 20% last week 27% last year 43% 5-year average Winter wheat headed: 95% this week 87% last week 82% last year 93% 5-year average Barley emerged: 96% this week 94% last week 87% last year 97% 5-year average Barley headed: 27% this week 13% last week 9% last year 37% 5-year average Oats emerged: 92% this week 81% last week 76% last year NA 5-year average Oats headed: 21% this week 20% last week 4% last year NA 5-year average Dry peas emerged: 98% this week 94% last week 90% last year 98% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 1st cutting: 96% this week 90% last week 76% last year 82% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting: 8% this week NA last week 7% last year NA 5-year average