Crop progress report 06/21: Western Washington still wet, eastern Washington shone bright

From NASS There were 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, up from 5.2 the previous week. Areas of Clallam, Jefferson, King and Snohomish counties received more than two inches of rain on Monday. Fields were wet from daily scattered showers. Some operators lost crops, especially in lower recessed areas. Drainage districts depended on both pumps and tide gates to remove water. River flow was elevated, so gates were minimally effective. Dairies were unable to cut grass. Fields that were too wet to plant would not be planted this year. Vegetable farmers in Snohomish County had good growth of their early cole and green crops. Whatcom County strawberry harvest was ongoing. Raspberries were ripening and producers prepared to harvest. Rains delayed grass for silage cuttings. Soils were saturated in San Juan County. CSA crops were growing well, berry crops were coloring up, and livestock were on pasture. Daytime temperatures in Yakima County started the week in the high 60s and ended the week in the low 90s. Asparagus harvest neared completion. Snap peas, onions and summer squashes were coming in. Operators started to take their second cuttings of alfalfa. Field crews thinned apples. Cherry harvest continued at a slow pace, but the crop came in much cleaner the past couple weeks. Harvest bins were moved to peach orchards. Raspberries were harvested. Hops were between 6 and 18 feet high on trellis systems. Northeast Washington had warmer temperatures later in the week. Franklin County had no precipitation, light breezes and warm temperatures with excellent crop growing conditions. Second cuttings of alfalfa were harvested, along with sweet cherries and sweet peas. The cooler conditions in Adams County aided the irrigated wheat and small grain crops, but negatively impacted the irrigated corn and bean crops. Corn seed maggot and wireworm issues were reported in the emerged bean seed crop. Most operators controlled the pests with management action. Pastures started to decline. Columbia and Walla Walla counties benefited from the June rains. First cutting of hay was completed.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 0% very poor 2% poor 12% fair 63% good 23% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 5% poor 11% fair 63% good 21% excellent Barley: 0% very poor 6% poor 9% fair 64% good 21% excellent Oats: 0% very poor 0% poor 9% fair 68% good 23% excellent Dried edible peas: 0% very poor 0% poor 9% fair 79% good 12% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat headed: 59% this week 29% last week 49% last year 58% 5-year average Winter wheat headed: 96% this week 88% last week 94% last year 96% 5-year average Barley emerged: 96% this week 93% last week 95% last year 97% 5-year average Barley headed: 75% this week 46% last week 39% last year 51% 5-year average Oats emerged: 89% this week 80% last week 69% last year 87% 5-year average Oats headed: 43% this week 28% last week 2% last year NA 5-year average Alfalfa hay 1st cutting: 88% this week 77% last week 8922% last year NA 5-year average Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting: 3% this week 0% last week 29% last year 23% 5-year average