Crop progress 08/04: Hot weather in Washington

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 7 the previous week. Western Washington received some rainfall but remained mostly hot and dry. In northwest Washington, the rain hindered grain farmers with lodged crops as well as hay and grass seed harvest. The first cutting of hay was mostly completed, and the second cutting had started. Central Washington was in the fifth week of a D2 drought. Wheat harvest was almost complete in a few areas. Yields looked normal. Pastureland was short and dry. In Yakima County, air quality was variable because of the fires in the area. Late maturing sweet cherry varieties were harvested over the past week. Apple thinning activities wrapped up. Apples, peaches, and prunes developed full color and were sizing up. Pear growers cleaned up orchards and moved harvest bins into the orchard in anticipation of harvest in the next couple of weeks. Hop bines reached the top of the trellis and filled in, with cones forming in some of the earlier maturing hops. Grape clusters were beginning to size up. Blueberry operations prepared for harvest. Vegetable stands were at full capacity with peppers, tomatoes, sweet corn, zucchini, and melons harvested. Northeast Washington received more hot and dry weather suitable for harvesting. East central Washington saw more high temperatures last week. Southeast Washington experienced a large fire that took out crops, pastureland, and a couple of homes and buildings.

Washington crop condition

Winter wheat: 7% very poor 11% poor 32% fair 44% good 6% excellent Spring wheat: 8% very poor 10% poor 65% fair 16% good 1% excellent Barley: 5% very poor 8% poor 68% fair 18% good 1% excellent Dry edible peas: 2% very poor 7% poor 30% fair 61% good 0% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Winter wheat harvested: 47% this week 32% last week 51% last year 45% 5-year average Spring wheat harvested: 21% this week 5% last week 17% last year 18% 5-year average Barley harvested: 26% this week 5% last week 18% last year 20% 5-year average Dry edible peas harvested: 29% this week 17% last week 17% last year 38% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting: 92% this week 79% last week 89% last year 91% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 3rd cutting: 26% this week 15% last week 28% last year 26% 5-year average