Crop progress report 06/04: Hot, dry in Washington

From NASS There were 7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, up from 6.8 days recorded the previous week. Western Washington saw cooler temperatures than the rest of the state, but statewide, it was a dry and warm week. The dry weather did not help topsoil or pasture conditions. Skagit County started seeing the first signs of heat stress on crops. With no rain in the forecast, irrigation equipment was being prepared for use by producers. Northeast Washington continued to cut hay. In Spokane County, spring and winter crops were doing well. East Central Washington also saw hot and dry conditions, which were unfavorable to crop and soil conditions. In Douglas County, wheat was beginning to look water stressed. Spring canola was severely impacted by the Diamondback moth. Southeast Washington also had dry conditions and needed moisture.

Washington crop condition

Winter wheat: 2% very poor 8% poor 27% fair 57% good 6% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 10% poor 35% fair 49% good 6% excellent Barley: 0% very poor 6% poor 28% fair 64% good 2% excellent Dry edible peas: 0% very poor 0% poor 26% fair 69% good 5% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat emerged: 99% this week 94% last week 88% last year 92% 5-year average Winter wheat headed: 63% this week 45% last week 15% last year 55% 5-year average Barley emerged: 87% this week 81 last week 88% last year 86% 5-year average Dry edible peas emerged: 89% this week 81% last week 84% last year NA 5-year average Alfalfa hay 1st cutting: 52% this week 40% last week 29% last year 58% 5-year average