Crop progress report 0401: Snow melted and some field work started

From NASS There were 4.7 days suitable for field work in Washington last week. Western Washington continued to warm up with a distinct lack of rain. Soil temperatures in the Puget Sound were still cold due to the cool nights. Field work was in full swing in Whatcom County. Conditions were dry enough to kick up dust during cultivation, while raspberries and blueberries were budding out. CSA farms had seeds started with some high tunnels planted. Fruit trees in San Juan County were in popcorn stage. Farmers held off planting in Skagit County. Vegetable transplanting was ahead of the curve, while warm crops were held off in Snohomish County. Snow cover receded on winter wheat land in Chelan and Douglas counties. There was snow mold concern, but overall, wheat conditions were good. Peas and canola survived the winter. Pastures were greening up. Calving wrapped up with some deaths due to cold conditions. Animals typically released onto pasture April 1 were held off in Chelan, Douglas and Klickitat counties due to concerns about grass tetany. Orchard clean-up continued with pruning and tree training. Northeastern Washington’s snow melted, soil warmed, and mud flowed. Some calving issues were reported such as increased fee purchases and animal losses. Spring cereal seeding started in Adams County. Snow was mostly gone on the Palouse. Most spring field work was delayed due to wet fields. Warm weather helped livestock producers. 

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 0% very poor 1% poor 41% fair 53% good 5% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat planted: 2% this week 0% last week 18% last year 13% 5-year average Barley planted: 2% this week 1% last week 4% last year 7% 5-year average Oats planted: 0% this week 0% last week 3% last year NA 5-year average Dry peas planted: 1% this week 0% last week 9% last year NA 5-year average