Crop progress report 05/02: Dry, Warm Conditions Continued in Washington

From NASS There were 6.7 days suitable for field work, up from 6.5 days reported the previous week. Statewide temperatures in Washington for the week ending May 2 were above normal. In western Washington, the weather was great for farming. Some field tillage and planting were done due to the dry soils. Cover crops harvested by dairymen were lighter than normal. In Jefferson and King counties, corn was planted, and ground preparation was coming along. Fruit trees were finishing up bloom with apples being last. In San Juan County, some barley planting was done due to late drying fields. Flowers and fruit benefitted from the weather. In central Washington, dry and warm conditions continued. In Yakima County, spraying was almost impossible due to high winds. The lack of precipitation had a noticeable effect on all crops, but crops looked good. Apple and pear trees started to form fruit, and asparagus harvest continued. More vegetable fields were prepared for transplant. In southeast Washington, rain was needed, and conditions remained dry. In Garfield and Asotin counties, a D2 drought designation was near due to lack of precipitation in the past couple of weeks.

Washington crop condition

Winter wheat: 2% very poor 8% poor 33% fair 53% good 4% excellent Spring wheat: 2% very poor 18% poor 29% fair 50% good 1% excellent Barley: 3% very poor 13% poor 39% fair 45% good 0% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat planted: 86% this week 80% last week 91% last year 75% 5-year average Spring wheat emerged: 63% this week 55% last week 75% last year 43% 5-year average Winter wheat headed: 1% this week NA last week 4% last year 5% 5-year average Barley planted: 82% this week 78% last week 86% last year 58% 5-year average Barley emerged: 58% this week 53% last week 51% last year 30% 5-year average Oats planted: 50% this week 31% last week 66% last year 36% 5-year average Oats emerged: 5% this week 1% last week 21% last year 14% 5-year average Dry edible peas planted: 69% this week 63% last week 88% last year 55% 5-year average Dry edible peas emerged: 44% this week 13% last week 35% last year NA 5-year average