Crop progress report 06/07: Washington’s cool temperatures, rain helped some and hindered others

From NASS There were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, staying constant from the previous week. The Puget Sound had a few rainy days mixed with a few sunny days. Crops and fields were in good condition. Hay producers were still searching for stable weather to continue hay harvest. CSA farmers were in full swing. Berry crops were blooming, and orchard fruits started to size up. Pastures had healthy growth. Snohomish County continued to receive hard, isolated showers between steady rain. Some areas received over an inch of rain on Saturday. A few corn fields ponded water for a brief time. Crops were stressed from too much moisture. Some fields were not planted because they were too wet and had ponded water. Organic weed control had not been successful due to the wetter, cooler weather. However, grass was in good condition. Vegetable farmers were busy planting and harvesting. Strawberries in Whatcom County started to ripen and fresh market stands opened. Corn planting continued. Temperatures in Yakima County cooled down with daytime highs in the low 70s, and nighttime lows dropping to the low 40s. The early sweet cherry crops started to come in. Apple field crews were thinning the crop. Asparagus harvest continued, but slowed down. Snap peas, onions, spinach, yellow summer squash and zucchini started to come into farmers’ markets. Northeast Washington had warm temperatures at the beginning of the week and cooler temperatures over the weekend. Precipitation and cool weather maintained soil and crop conditions in Adams and Lincoln counties. Crop conditions improved in Asotin and Garfield counties due to the rain. Columbia and Walla Walla counties had winter wheat that started to head out, and some operator s were spraying for rust. Weather remained cool and wet in Whitman County.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 1% very poor 1% poor 10% fair 65% good 23% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 6% poor 10% fair 65% good 19% excellent Barley: 0% very poor 6% poor 8% fair 71% good 15% excellent Oats: 0% very poor 0% poor 16% fair 82% good 2% excellent Dried edible peas: 0% very poor 0% poor 13% fair 77% good 10% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat emerged: 95% this week 90% last week 90% last year 95% 5-year average Spring wheat headed: 9% this week 5% last week 0% last year 14% 5-year average Winter wheat headed: 72% this week 55% last week 69% last year 76% 5-year average Barley emerged: 92% this week 85% last week 74% last year 88% 5-year average Barley headed: 12% this week 5% last week 0% last year 4% 5-year average12 Oats emerged: 70% this week 59% last week 57% last year 72% 5-year average Oats headed: 13% this week NA last week NA last year NA 5-year average Alfalfa hay 1st cutting: 72% this week 61% last week 59% last year 74% 5-year average