Crop progress 5/21: A break from the rain allowed planting

From NASS There were 5.5 days suitable for field work last week. Pasture and range conditions were reported at 1 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 67 percent good and 19 percent excellent. A low temperature of 27 degrees F was reported in the northeastern region, while a high temperature of 86 degrees F was reported in the southeast region. Statewide temperature differentials ranged from 8 degrees below normal to 3 degrees above normal. In the western region, the rain started to dissipate during the week, which provided periods of dry weather allowing field work. Operations planted corn, grass, onions, raspberries and potatoes quickly while others began to harvest hay. Excessive slugs and snails were a problem for some growers. Livestock and pastures were doing well, with livestock rotations underway in order to capitalize on the forage production period. Blueberries and strawberries were fully bloomed, while squash were transplanted. Vegetable plantings were a little behind while many of the fields remained wet. Overall, conditions improved for the west with the fields just beginning to dry out, allowing work. In the central region, warmer temperatures were mixed with thunderstorms. Winter wheat and barley crop outlooks were mixed, with some reporting no snow mold while others have some cases. Fields that had snow mold were being replanted. There were some concerns about stripe rust as well. Spring plantings were underway wherever dry weather permitted, even though they were well past their final planting dates. Asparagus harvest was underway while corn began to emerge. Operations also planted tomatoes, cucumbers and squash. Hops were winding up. First cutting of alfalfa started. Pastures were in good condition. Overall, the central region attempted to catch up using the breaks in weather. In the eastern region, temperatures started to warm up by the end of the week. First cutting of hay was underway while dry bean planting started towards the end of the week. Some areas reported continued delays in planting due to wet conditions and continual rain. Other areas managed to complete most of their plantings except for corn in some parts. The warmer weather caused some winter wheat to head earlier than anticipated. Winter wheat was looking relatively good, with only some cases of snow mold. However, there were many concerns about stripe rust. Pastures were doing well with the wet weather.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 1% very poor 2% poor 16% fair 62% good 19% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 0% poor 40% fair 55% good 5% excellent Barley: 0% very poor 2% poor 31% fair 62% good 5% excellent Oats: 0% very poor 0% poor 63% fair 27% good 10% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat planted: 95% this week 81% last week 100% last year 100% 5-year average Spring wheat emerged: 80% this week 55% last week 93% last year 92% 5-year average Winter wheat headed: 14% this week 6% last week 51% last year 32% 5-year average Barley planted: 88% this week 75% last week 99% last year 97% 5-year average Barley emerged: 73% this week 50% last week 82% last year 83% 5-year average Oats planted: 43% this week 36% last week 88% last year NA 5-year average Oats emerged: 25% this week 2% last week 60% last year NA 5-year average Dry peas planted: 80% this week 49% last week 86% last year NA 5-year average Dry peas emerged: 46% this week 16% last week NA last year NA 5-year average Alfalfa hay 1st cutting: 23% this week 6% last week 55% last year 34% 5-year average