Crop progress report 05/09: Dry conditions with more fieldwork in Washington

From NASS There were 6.8 days suitable for field work, up from 6.7 days reported the previous week. Statewide temperatures in Washington for the week ending May 9 were mostly below normal. In western Washington, planting was ahead of schedule for most producers. Planted crops looked good due to the nice weather. In Clallam and Jefferson counties, corn was planted along with other crops in great soil conditions. In King County, the first grass cutting was done but was later than normal. Growing flowers and fruit benefited from the weather. In central Washington, dry and warm conditions continued. In Chelan County, wheat crops had considerable variability in fields and across the county. Most 2021 crops were planted, fertilized and sprayed. In Yakima County, asparagus harvest continued. Corn seeds started to emerge. Lots of new vine growth was reported on grapes. In east central Washington, conditions remained dry in nonirrigated areas without natural rainfall. Poorer soils with little moisture last fall during planting had a low germination rate, which left large bare spots in fields. In southeast Washington, there was still no rain, and it was extremely dry throughout the area.

Washington crop condition

Winter wheat: 1% very poor 6% poor 32% fair 58% good 3% excellent Spring wheat: 3% very poor 20% poor 26% fair 51% good 0% excellent Barley: 4% very poor 13% poor 39% fair 44% good 0% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat planted: 88% this week 86% last week 95% last year 85% 5-year average Spring wheat emerged: 65% this week 63% last week 80% last year 62% 5-year average Winter wheat headed: 3% this week 1% last week 8% last year 9% 5-year average Barley planted: 85% this week 82% last week 93% last year 73% 5-year average Barley emerged: 61% this week 58% last week 66% last year 51% 5-year average Oats planted: 60% this week 50% last week 79% last year 48% 5-year average Oats emerged: 10% this week 5% last week 38% last year 23% 5-year average Dry edible peas planted: 73% this week 69% last week 97% last year 66% 5-year average Dry edible peas emerged: 47% this week 44% last week 55% last year NA 5-year average Alfalfa hay 1st cutting: 1% this week NA last week 10% last year 8% 5-year average