Crop progress report 06/11: Washington crops continued maturing

From NASS There were 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 7 days recorded the previous week. Western Washington received a couple of days of rain which helped promote grass growth in pastures. Central Washington had a good week of farming. Most of the first cutting of hay had been cut and baled. There was low moisture, so pastureland and hay crops were not regrowing. Spring-seeded crops were not doing well because they needed more heat and moisture for growth. The week started hot in Yakima County, but cloud cover rolled in later and dropped daytime high temperatures. Light rain was seen throughout the region. Asparagus harvest was completed. Green onion crops were maturing as leaves started to turn white and wilt back. Field corn was knee high throughout the Yakima Valley. Cucurbits and squashes were filling in ground space in vegetable fields. Cherry harvest started with early sweet cherries, like Rainier cherries, coming over the packing lines. Apricots were gaining color with an orange blush on greenish fruits. Pear fruitlets were sizing up with petioles drooping down due to the weight of the fruit. Grape berry bunches were forming on wine grapes. Hop bines ranged from waist high to approaching the top of the trellis as producers worked to extend the harvest period. In northeast Washington, producers saw a fast-moving storm that brought heavy rain and some wind damage on Thursday evening. All planted fields had emerged, and most of the winter wheat had headed. Pastures were looking good, and the rain helped in adding moisture. East central Washington saw good weather for farm activities. Potatoes were up, and flowering, early cherry harvest was underway, and asparagus harvest was winding down. The first cutting of hay was nearly complete in the south end of Franklin County, and the north end was coming along as well. Light rain was seen across the district, so crop and soil conditions were mostly unchanged. In southeast Washington, scattered showers and thunderstorms brought much needed moisture to some areas. There was some flooding in some areas, but it was unclear if there was damage to crops or livestock.

Washington crop condition

Winter wheat: 3% very poor 7% poor 35% fair 50% good 5% excellent Spring wheat: 3% very poor 19% poor 40% fair 31% good 7% excellent Barley: 3% very poor 9% poor 31% fair 55% good 2% excellent Dry edible peas: 0% very poor 8% poor 33% fair 54% good 5% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat headed: 17% this week 0% last week 2% last year 13% 5-year average Winter wheat headed: 81% this week 63% last week 45% last year 76% 5-year average Barley emerged: 95% this week 87% last week 95% last year 92% 5-year average Barley headed: 4% this week 0% last week 4% last year 17% 5-year average Dry edible peas emerged: 95% this week 89% last week 94% last year NA 5-year average Alfalfa hay 1st cutting: 68% this week 52% last week 47% last year 74% 5-year average