Crop progress 6/4: Warm weather welcomed

From NASS There were 6.3 days suitable for field work last week. Pasture and range conditions were reported 1 percent poor, 6 percent fair, 72 percent good and 21 percent excellent. A low temperature of 42 degrees F was reported in the east central region, while a high temperature of 98 was reported in the southeast region. Statewide differentials ranged from 1 degree above normal to 12 degrees above normal. The weather was mostly warm with a few cases of wind and scattered rain, but was otherwise sunny, which allowed operations to continue their work. Some regions continued to report being behind by three to four weeks due to the prior wet weather, while others indicated some fields were still flooded or filled with debris from floods. Some fields may be either replanted or left unplanted due to the cold and wet weather from prior weeks. Hay that was planted did exceptionally well the past week, with a large proportion already cut and baled. Pasture grazing fields have grown, while the livestock were feeding and healthy. Some areas continued to plant onions, corn, grass, and potatoes. The warm weather continued to help winter and spring wheat, with winter wheat heading coming along nicely, while spring wheat was already a foot tall. There were some reports and concerns involving rust, with some operations starting rust treatments. The asparagus harvest continued and was near completion. Some pests were noted, such as grasshoppers. Raspberries were about done blooming, while strawberries were still a bit green. Blackberries began to bloom as well. Cranberries were blooming later than anticipated, but otherwise berries overall were doing well with the mix of rain and sun. The state was performing well with the late arrival of spring weather, with some operations either catching up on planting or on schedule taking full advantage of the weather.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 0% very poor 1% poor 15% fair 78% good 6% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 1% poor 16% fair 82% good 1% excellent Barley: 0% very poor 2% poor 9% fair 88% good 1% excellent Oats: 0% very poor 0% poor 45% fair 44% good 11% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat emerged: 87% this week 81% last week 99% last year 99% 5-year average Spring wheat headed: 1% this week NA last week 31% last year 12% 5-year average Winter wheat headed: 49% this week 38% last week 85% last year 67% 5-year average Barley planted: 94% this week 92% last week 100% last year 100% 5-year average Barley emerged: 83% this week 75% last week 93% last year 97% 5-year average Barley headed: 2% this week 1% last week 16% last year 9% 5-year average Oats planted: 75% this week 52% last week 93% last year NA 5-year average Oats emerged: 45% this week 30% last week 70% last year NA 5-year average Oats headed: 2% this week 1% last week NA last year NA 5-year average Dry peas planted: 92% this week 86% last week 99% last year 100% 5-year average Dry peas emerged: 85% this week 57% last week 89 last year NA 5-year average Alfalfa hay 1st cutting: 60% this week 41% last week 81% last year 65% 5-year average