Crop progress report 06/12: More precipitation with cooler temps throughout Washington

From NASS There were 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 5.2 days the previous week. Statewide temperatures were below normal. In Clark County, producers were cutting hay when rain wasn’t present. Pasture and wheat conditions looked good. In Skagit County, the weather remained cool and wet. There were areas of ponded water that negatively impacted potatoes and some vegetable seed fields. In Snohomish County, conditions were too wet to do much fieldwork. Some producers completed seeding between thunderstorms, while others had fields with floodwater. Cucurbits, tomato and pepper plantings outside hoop houses suffered severely. In Chelan County, wheat and pastures continued to improve as ample moisture relieved the area from last year’s drought. The first cutting of hay was delayed. Orchards crops were also impacted with a delayed harvest. Hailstorms and rain throughout the area created some losses to cherries and potential losses for apples and pears. In Yakima County, rivers ran high from rains received in the higher elevations. Apricots were beginning to color and size up. Many hop yards had bines over six feet long and halfway up the trellis. In Franklin County, heavy rain occurred throughout the area. The first cutting of alfalfa throughout the county was delayed with little being baled and stacked. In Garfield County, most farmers sprayed for rust. Flooding throughout the county caused some damage.

Washington crop condition

Winter wheat: 1% very poor 3% poor 20% fair 66% good 10% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 3% poor 16% fair 75% good 6% excellent Barley: 0% very poor 2% poor 20% fair 73% good 5% excellent Dry edible peas: 1% very poor 2% poor 10% fair 86% good 1% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat emerged: 94% this week 89% last week 99% last year 96% 5-year average Spring wheat headed: 2% this week NA last week 20% last year 20% 5-year average Winter wheat headed: 50% this week 16% last week 90% last year 84% 5-year average Barley emerged: 96% this week 90% last week 99% last year 91% 5-year average Barley headed: 5% this week NA last week 33% last year 20% 5-year average Dry edible peas emerged: 95% this week 85% last week 93% last year NA 5-year average Alfalfa hay 1st cutting: 50% this week 30% last week 87% last year 81% 5-year average