Crop progress report 0414: Most of Washington experienced significant rainfall

From NASS There were 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, down from 4.1 the previous week. The Puget Sound and western Washington had wet conditions throughout the week resulting in adequate to surplus topsoil and subsoil conditions. Pastures and ranges were in mostly good to fair conditions. Many producers reported fields being too wet to work or field work was slow due to wet conditions. Some new grass seed and vegetable seed crops were planted. Cattle were beginning to be turned out to pastures. Raspberry growers in Whatcom County saw more damage from the February freeze. Damaged vines were cut back and won’t be harvested until next year. Fruit trees were blossoming and berries were leafing out. In central Washington, Chelan and Douglas county tree fruit growers were waiting on budding to determine damage from the February temperatures. Bees were being placed in orchards. Ranchers estimated they were approximately two weeks behind the normal spring grazing release. Livestock water supplies appeared to be adequate. Winter wheat was greening up and livestock were beginning to graze in Klickitat County. In the southeastern part of the state, Asotin and Garfield counties reported rainy and cool conditions. Some producers were able to get spring wheat seeded, and some barley, but the majority of the ground was still too wet. Winter wheat looked good in Columbia and Walla Walla counties. Whitman County received widespread heavy rain, but erosion was not significant.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 0% very poor 1% poor 34% fair 58% good 7% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat planted: 17% this week 11% last week 36% last year 46% 5-year average Barley planted: 15% this week 9% last week 9% last year 27% 5-year average Oats planted: 16% this week 5% last week 6% last year NA 5-year average Dry peas planted: 3% this week 2% last week 13% last year 21% 5-year average