Crop progress report 07/14: Summer heats up in Washington

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 7 days the previous week. Western Washington continued to see hot and dry conditions. In Whatcom County, raspberry growers reported some damage due to excessive heat during the harvest. Skagit County reported that the county was drying out. Conditions were good for harvesting hay and grass seed, but other crops needed rain. Central Washington also saw hot and dry weather, causing pasture conditions to decline. In Yakima County, there was no precipitation in the crop-producing areas, which led to continued dry conditions and brush fires. Extreme heat shut down raspberry harvest, while late maturing sweet cherries, apricots, peaches, and nectarines were harvested. Northeast Washington producers wrapped up their first cutting of alfalfa hay. Winter wheat was turning color, and spring wheat was right behind it. Cattle on grass were doing well. East central Washington had hot weather throughout the entire week. Winter wheat harvest started to pick up. In lower elevations of Douglas County, producers took test cuts to see if wheat was ready to harvest. Southeast Washington saw hot and dry weather conditions.

Washington crop condition

Winter wheat: 7% very poor 13% poor 28% fair 47% good 5% excellent Spring wheat: 3% very poor 9% poor 40 fair 43% good 5% excellent Barley: 3% very poor 10% poor 37% fair 48% good 2% excellent Dry edible peas: 0% very poor 6% poor 10% fair 80% good 4% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Winter wheat harvested: 5% this week 2% last week 5% last year 6% 5-year average Spring wheat headed: 98% this week 84% last week 99% last year 94% 5-year average Barley headed: 97% this week 82% last week 97% last year 95% 5-year average Barley harvested: 0% this week NA last week 1% last year 0% 5-year average Dry edible peas harvested: 4% this week 2% last week 0% last year 4% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting: 61% this week 37% last week 47% last year 51% 5-year average