Crop progress report 06/09: Weather started to warm in Washington

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 5.7 days the previous week. Western Washington saw more precipitation early in the week than the rest of the state, and temperatures remained moderate. Central Washington had some rain during the beginning of the week, but as the week progressed, the daytime highs reached into the 90s. In Yakima County, some brush fires broke out in the scrub areas of Yakima Valley, but no crops were threatened. Apples and pears continued to size and reached the diameter of a quarter. Early maturing cherry varieties were showing a dark mahogany color. Nearly all the black plastic was laid down in vegetable fields with cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, peppers, and tomatoes planted. Some of the earliest planted zucchini and melons were in bloom. The asparagus harvest was mostly complete. Pend Oreille and Spokane counties saw rain at the beginning of the week, followed by much needed heat. Cattle on the pasture looked good, and the grass was growing well in the pastures. Crop conditions were favorable, and there was good growth in most areas. In east central Washington, precipitation early in the week helped maintain soil moisture conditions and crop conditions. The continued wind still limited the opportunity to spray herbicides. Southeast Washington saw some precipitation early in the week and had warmer temperatures than most of the state.

Washington crop condition

Winter wheat: 8% very poor 15% poor 31% fair 42% good 4% excellent Spring wheat: 1% very poor 9% poor 33% fair 44% good 13% excellent Barley: 1% very poor 6% poor 30% fair 53% good 10% excellent Dry edible peas: 0% very poor 5% poor 11% fair 74% good 10% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Winter wheat headed: 80% this week 69% last week 76% last year 69% 5-year average Spring wheat headed: 25% this week 4% last week 12% last year 8% 5-year average Barley headed: 20% this week 3% last week 3% last year 9% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 1st cutting: 63% this week 50% last week 63% last year 65% 5-year average