Crop progress report 05/17: Washington crops benefitted from some nice days, rain

From NASS There were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, down some from 5.9 the previous week. Planting progress wrapped up, and good emergent progress was reported. In western Washington, a mix of rain and sunshine helped field crops stay healthy. In San Juan County, forage was almost ready for early haylage harvest. Livestock was on rotation for grazing. In Snohomish County, the first cutting of grass silage came off many fields. Last week, more field preparation was done, and many fields were planted to get ahead of the predicted rains. Strawberries formed, and some areas started to pick. Central Washington reported a mixture of results. The bunch grass range ground was in great shape in Okanogan County. With the increased moisture county wide, summer range was also in excellent shape. Klickitat County remained very dry. Hay crops appeared short. In Yakima County, the crop phenology appeared to slow down but matched last year’s progress. Field crews thinned and pruned apple trees. Cherries showed straw yellow and some red color. Asparagus harvest continued. Crews trained hops to run up the trellis. Some vines reached as high as three feet. In northeast Washington, a wet week with heavy rains were reported. The precipitation also helped maintain current soil moisture conditions in east central Washington. In southeast Washington, winter wheat headed out; however, spring crops were still in need of more rain.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 0% very poor 1% poor 16% fair 71% good 12% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 7% poor 19% fair 65% good 9% excellent Barley: 0% very poor 6% poor 14% fair 70% good 10% excellent Oats: 0% very poor 3% poor 18% fair 71% good 8% excellent Dried edible peas: 0% very poor 0% poor 5% fair 83% good 12% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat emerged: 82% this week 80% last week 67% last year 77% 5-year average Winter wheat headed: 20% this week 9% last week 8% last year 23% 5-year average Barley planted: 95% this week 94% last week 75% last year 86% 5-year average Barley emerged: 71% this week 68% last week 52% last year 6754% 5-year average Oats planted: 85% this week 80% last week 59% last year 68% 5-year average Oats emerged: 50% this week 40% last week 32% last year 35% 5-year average Dry peas emerged: 88% this week 58% last week 40% last year NA 5-year average Alfalfa hay 1st cutting: 29% this week 11% last week 26% last year 25% 5-year average