Crop progress 7/9: A hot, dry week in Washington

From NASS There were 7 days suitable for field work last week. Pasture and range conditions were reported at 5 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 49 percent good and 15 percent excellent. A low temperature of 43 degrees F was reported in the northeast region, while a high temperature of 106 was reported in the southeast region. Statewide differentials ranged from 1 to 12 degrees above normal. In the west, the weather was hot and dry with irrigation work underway for field crops and grasses. Strawberry harvests were slowing down while raspberry harvests continued to pick up. Some raspberries died due to the intense heat. Other berries, including blueberries, were nearly ready for harvest, with some areas harvesting earlier than expected. Vegetables were doing very well in the heat, with operations taking full advantage of the weather. Hay and grass cuttings progressed nicely. Livestock were doing relatively well, with some areas on supplemental feed. Overall, the weather provided much heat that aided crops while allowing a full week of work. In central Washington, temperatures were also very hot with little to no rain present. Fires broke out, but only burned forest land so far. While other crops did well due to the sun and heat, the grass fields dried out, increasing fire risks. Overall, there were no reported losses in the region. In the eastern region, temperatures soared. A number of fires broke out due to the incredibly dry conditions. Hay cuttings were well underway while winter wheat was turning quickly across the state. Hay cuttings were progressing on schedule, with the first cutting nearly completed. Winter wheat harvests were anticipated to begin soon, earlier than usual in some parts. There were a few concerns about the potato, pea and bean crops due to the extensive heat causing irregular growth. Grass seed was harvested. Overall, the dry conditions helped the winter wheat crop, but the dry conditions posed fire risks.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 1% very poor 2% poor 13% fair 64% good 20% excellent Spring wheat: 3% very poor 14% poor 40% fair 42% good 1% excellent Barley: 3% very poor 10% poor 40% fair 46% good 1% excellent Oats: 0% very poor 0% poor 19% fair 80% good 1% excellent Dry, edible peas: 0% very poor 13% poor 31% fair 52% good 4% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat headed: 91% this week 83% last week 94% last year 92% 5-year average Winter wheat harvested: 4% this week 3% last week 4% last year 2% 5-year average Barley headed: 85% this week 70% last week 91% last year 90% 5-year average Oats headed: 40% this week 16% last week 73% last year NA 5-year average Alfalfa hay 1st cutting: 95% this week 92% last week 100% last year 95% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting: 49% this week 34% last week 71% last year 44% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 3rd cutting: 1% this week NA last week 1% last year NA 5-year average