Crop progress report 05/07: Some rain but good growth in Washington

From NASS There were 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 7 days reported last week. Western Washington saw good grass growth and leafing out on raspberry and blueberry plants. Farmers continued to prepare fields for planting. In Skagit County, activities were behind because of the cold and wet spring conditions. Some parts of central Washington saw precipitation during the week but mostly warm temperatures. In the upper Yakima Valley, cherries, apples and pears were in full bloom. In the lower Yakima Valley, cherries, peaches, plums and pears were well into post-bloom. Most apples were post-bloom, with a few varieties still in the advanced stages of bloom. Wine and juice grape canes put on about a foot of growth and were still standing upright. Hops bines started to work their way up the trellis, but some hop yards were burned back as producers sought to extend the hop harvest times. Asparagus harvest was in full swing, and vegetable crews laid out irrigation and black plastic. Warm weather encouraged grass growth, and cattle were out grazing. In northeast Washington, there were scattered thunderstorms, and cattle were moved out onto spring pasture. In east central Washington, producers saw some precipitation that improved soil moisture and condition. In Douglas County, producers with snow mold kill have re-seeded spring wheat. Southeast Washington received much needed rain.

Washington crop condition

Winter wheat: 2% very poor 8% poor 24% fair 63% good 3% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat planted: 89% this week 74% last week 84% last year 85% 5-year average Spring wheat emerged: 52% this week 38% last week 48% last year 57% 5-year average Winter wheat headed: 1% this week NA last week NA last year 3% 5-year average Barley planted: 76% this week 55% last week 74% last year 76% 5-year average Barley emerged: 35% this week 12% last week 28% last year 45% 5-year average Dry edible peas planted: 65% this week 25% last week 70% last year 70% 5-year average Dry edible peas emerged: 16% this week 4% last week 22% last year NA 5-year average