Crop progress report 0520: Flooding reported in Okanogan, Ferry counties while fair conditions prevailed in rest of Washington

From NASS There were 5.1 days suitable for field work last week. Pasture and range conditions were reported at 1 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 62 percent good and 11 percent excellent. A low temperature of 40 degrees F was reported in the southeast region, while a high temperature of 94 degrees F was also reported in the southeast region. Statewide temperature differential ranged from 3 degrees to 13 degrees above normal. The Olympic Peninsula had favorable weather that increased all crop plantings. First cutting of hay was almost complete in western Washington. San Juan County reported that pasture grass was starting to boot, and the livestock on pasture were keeping up with the grass growth. Fruit crops were being thinned and legumes were blooming in San Juan County. Some operations in Skagit and San Juan counties were setting up supplemental irrigation systems for the dry summer. Over the mountains, Okanogan and Ferry counties suffered from intense flooding. More than 1,500 acres of Okanogan hay ground was flooded or had irrigation cut off due to infrastructure withdraws or submerged electrical switches. About 300 acres of orchard ground had standing water. Ferry County had 1,300 acres of hay and pasture ground under water. Orchardists in these counties were unable to spray. Winter wheat was showing winter kill in shallower soil profiles. Crusting from recent rains in Klickitat County caused some producers to reseed. Asparagus harvest continued, corn planting progressed, and potato planting wrapped up in Franklin County. Douglas County reported pea weevils higher than normal in several winter pea fields around Waterville. Some spring crops were crested in Columbia and Walla Walla counties. The Palouse reported good conditions regarding precipitation and temperature.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 0% very poor 1% poor 10% fair 78% good 11% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 1% poor 13% fair 85% good 1% excellent Barley: 0% very poor 1% poor 14% fair 85% good 0% excellent Oats: 0% very poor 13% poor 65% fair 22% good 0% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat planted: 96% this week 94% last week 93% last year 98% 5-year average Spring wheat emerged: 75% this week 65% last week 76% last year 90% 5-year average Winter wheat headed: 35% this week 5% last week 13% last year 29% 5-year average Barley planted: 85% this week 70% last week 86% last year 94% 5-year average Barley emerged: 73% this week 57% last week 70% last year 81% 5-year average Oats planted: 74% this week 47% last week 42% last year NA 5-year average Oats emerged: 27% this week 20% last week 22% last year NA 5-year average Dry peas planted: 80% this week 72% last week 76% last year 88% 5-year average Dry peas emerged: 65% this week 32% last week 42% last year NA 5-year average Alfalfa hay 1st cutting: 30% this week 3% last week 21% last year 31% 5-year average