Crop progress report 04/25: Improved field conditions in Washington

From NASS There were 6.5 days suitable for field work, down from 6.8 days reported the previous week. Statewide temperatures in Washington for week ending April 25 were normal to above normal. In western Washington, rain helped the fields that were dried out. In Clallam County, it was another good week of weather for farming. Field conditions improved. First grass cutting was still too early, but spring grains and grass were planted. In King County, nursery stock harvest and cut flowers did well. In central Washington, Okanogan County received much needed moisture, and cattle producers relied on early annual grass pastures. The annual grasses did not get much height before burning off and seeding out. In Klickitat County, it was dry with no pasture for cows to graze since no perennial spring grasses were planted. In Yakima County, field crews began to lay out irrigation and placed black plastic over vegetable hills to warm the soils to receive early spring transplants. Grapevines began to leaf out, and cherries were in the shuck split stage. In east central Washington, it was drier than normal, which impacted winter wheat conditions. In southeast Washington, rain was still needed.

Washington crop condition

Winter wheat: 1% very poor 7% poor 32% fair 55% good 5% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat planted: 80% this week 71% last week 87% last year 60% 5-year average Spring wheat emerged: 55% this week 15% last week 58% last year 25% 5-year average Barley planted: 78% this week 74% last week 75% last year 41% 5-year average Barley emerged: 53% this week 24% last week 37% last year 15% 5-year average Oats planted: 31% this week 11% last week 41% last year 26% 5-year average Oats emerged: 1% this week NA last week 2% last year 7% 5-year average Dry edible peas planted: 63% this week 24% last week 68% last year 41% 5-year average