Crop progress report 0505: Sunny days, blooming orchards in Washington

From NASS There were 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, up from 6.0 the previous week. The Puget Sound had warm daytime temperatures, abundant sunshine and cool nights. Fieldwork and planting were in full swing. Spinach, beets, spring wheat, barley and potatoes were planted. Conditions were dry. Late apples bloomed, and berry crops were leafing out. Annual vegetable crops were in high tunnels, and outside-grown vegetables were being seeded and transplanted. Whatcom County had ideal weather conditions for producers to access fields and prepare for planting. Blueberries were in bloom, and raspberry vines progressed with the favorable temperatures. Corn, grass and potato planting began. Skagit County drastically changed from wet conditions to dry conditions. Fields were bustling in Snohomish County with the first cuttings of green chop, hay silage and baleage completed. Apple bloom wrapped up. Fruit trees in Benton County were behind schedule due to the long winter. Cherries in Chelan and Douglas counties’ high-elevation orchards were in bloom. Apple trees started to bloom. A hail storm in Chelan County whitened the ground. Minimal damage occurred as a result. Morning frosts caused some damage in fruit orchards. Alfalfa yellowed in Klickitat County due to frosty mornings. Orchards were in bloom. Spring pastures greened up and livestock producers were releasing their animals in most of central Washington. Franklin County had mild winds and breezes. Northeastern Washington had mild temperatures, plenty of wind and little moisture. The dry April allowed planting to wrap up on the Palouse.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 0% very poor 1% poor 30% fair 61% good 8% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat planted: 72% this week 52% last week 82% last year 85% 5-year average Spring wheat emerged: 34% this week 4% last week 46% last year 58% 5-year average Winter wheat headed: 2% this week 1% last week 3% last year 6% 5-year average Barley planted: 61% this week 39% last week 65% last year 70% 5-year average Barley emerged: 33% this week 6% last week 34% last year 45% 5-year average Oats planted: 36% this week 30% last week 24% last year NA 5-year average Oats emerged: 18% this week 5% last week 13% last year NA 5-year average Dry peas planted: 49% this week 31% last week 55% last year 60% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 1st cutting: 1% this week 0% last week NA last year NA 5-year average