Crop progress report 07/12: Weather remained seasonably cool in Washington

From NASS There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, unchanged from the previous week. Clallam, Jefferson, King and Snohomish counties all experienced cooler and wetter weather. Some acreage had to be replanted including sweet corn, field corn and pumpkins. Some grain crops were lost, and it was too late to replant. Other fields were still too wet to farm. Grass was growing well, but it was a challenge to harvest. Some corn fields were sprayed with herbicide. The very last of the corn fields were planted. Nice produce showed up at local farmer’s markets. Strawberries were pretty much done with harvest, but raspberries and blueberries started and looked good. Yakima County reported warmer weather. Cherry harvest was over in Yakima Valley, except for some late maturing varieties grown at higher altitudes. Peaches and nectarines were sizing up nicely. Apple and pear crops started to size up as well. Green peas, green beans and summer squash were coming in. Most hops reached the top of their trellises with flowers starting to show. Pend Oreille and Spokane counties reported spotty rain and storms, but fair weather overall. Adams County reported seasonably cool weather. Warm season crops needed more heat units. Bean acreage was up, but conditions for the time of year were not as good as they normally see. Asotin and Garfield counties reported delayed harvests due to the cool temperatures and the amount of rain. Crops looked great. Columbia and Walla Walla counties started winter wheat harvest in the south western portion of the counties. Spring crops looked good in most parts, however in the south portion of Walla Walla County, the first cutting of alfalfa and peas were considered very poor due to unreliable weather.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 1% very poor 2% poor 15% fair 54% good 28% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 5% poor 10% fair 57% good 28% excellent Barley: 0% very poor 6% poor 6% fair 60% good 28% excellent Oats: 0% very poor 0% poor 5% fair 70% good 25% excellent Dried edible peas: 0% very poor 5% poor 10% fair 72% good 13% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat headed: 89% this week 83% last week 93% last year 96% 5-year average Winter wheat harvested: 2% this week 1% last week 1% last year 6% 5-year average Barley headed: 99% this week 89% last week 86% last year 92% 5-year average Oats headed: 67% this week 61% last week 66% last year 52% 5-year average Oats harvested: 0% this week NA last week 0% last year 1% 5-year average Dry edible peas harvested: 7% this week NA last week 1% last year 7% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting: 46% this week 9% last week 64% last year 66% 5-year average