Crop progress report 04/12: Excellent weather for field work in Washington

From NASS There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, up from 5.0 the previous week. In Western Washington, a lot of field work was getting completed. Many tractors were out breaking soil. However, producers did not chop haylage. In Whatcom County, fall-seeded crops were showing a growth spurt, grass growth was picking up, and raspberry plants were beginning to spring out new shoots. Growth slowed due to freezing temperatures at night. In San Juan County, soils were slowly warming up, and seasonally wet soils were drying up. Early pears were blooming. In Snohomish County, soil prep continued at a fast pace. In central Washington, wind conditions had accelerated the drying of surface moisture. In Yakima County, cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums and pears had passed through the petal fall stage. Apples had entered into flower bloom. Honey bees were being placed into apple orchards. Asparagus harvest had started. Vegetable growers were starting to lay down irrigation and black plastic. Field workers in hop yards were still adding string to the trellis, placing irrigation lines down and in some yards training vines to crawl up the trellis. In Eastern Washington, it was a dry week. Spraying and cultivating was being completed on days that were not windy. Winter wheat was looking good.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 1% very poor 2% poor 17% fair 70% good 10% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat planted: 57% this week 42% last week 15% last year 36% 5-year average Spring wheat emerged: 20% this week NA last week 0% last year 10% 5-year average Barley planted: 50% this week 40% last week 13% last year 23% 5-year average Barley emerged: 15% this week NA last week 0% last year 5% 5-year average Oats planted: 13% this week 8% last week 13% last year 10% 5-year average Dry peas planted: 27% this week 22% last week 3% last year 14% 5-year average