Crop progress report 04/14: Warmer weather for Washington

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, up from 5.1 days suitable the previous week. Western Washington saw a little precipitation. Crops were progressing a bit ahead of schedule. In Whatcom County, blueberries were budding, and raspberries were filling out. Fieldwork started, and grass showed good growth. The Yakima Valley experienced overnight temperatures below freezing, and daytime temperatures warmed over the weekend. Pear and sweet cherry trees in the upper valley were in full bloom, and apple trees began blooming. The lower valley had pears, plums, and cherries in various stages of petal fall. Apple varieties were mostly in bloom in this area. Some orchards were grafting over to new varieties. Asparagus harvest continued. Most vegetable fields had been worked up, with some producers preparing fields with black plastic and irrigation. Field crews were observed laying down irrigation for hop yards and burning back hop bines in other yards to extend or delay the hop harvest. Pend Oreille and Spokane counties observed some fieldwork, although only a little was planted to crops for the week. Spraying began on winter wheat. Calving was wrapping up, and ranchers were considering spring turnout. Winter wheat needed more rain to improve crop conditions in Adams County.

Washington crop condition

Winter wheat: 5% very poor 10% poor 40% fair 40% good 5% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat planted: 42% this week 21% last week 22% last year 40% 5-year average Spring wheat emerged: 9% this week NA last week 1% last year 10% 5-year average Barley planted: 28 this week 10% last week 12% last year 33% 5-year average Barley emerged: 1% this week NA last week 0% last year 7% 5-year average Dry edible peas planted: 13% this week 1% last week 8% last year 19% 5-year average