Crop progress report 07/16: Start of summer harvest in Washington

From NASS There were 7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, unchanged from 7 days reported the previous week. Western Washington reported dry conditions and drought, with no major changes to crop conditions from last week. Central Washington reported dry conditions and wildfires that had been contained. The second cutting of hay harvest had almost finished, and wheat harvest had started. In Yakima County, a small amount of precipitation was received early in the week. Apple growers utilized several strategies to protect fruit from excessive temperatures and sunburn, including evaporative misting, net screening, kaolin clay, and other crop protectants. Peach growers moved bins into fields in anticipation of harvest. Cucumbers, sweet corn, peppers, green beans, garlic, onion, summer squashes, blueberries, and melons were available at roadside stands. Hops filled in their trellises, and light, green-colored hop cones were found in more mature yards. A few wildfires were experienced in Yakima Valley, but the air quality remained good. In east central Washington, winter wheat harvest started. Southeast Washington saw more hot temperatures.

Washington crop condition

Winter wheat: 2% very poor 13% poor 32% fair 49% good 4% excellent Spring wheat: 1% very poor 21% poor 32% fair 44% good 2% excellent Barley: 1% very poor 12% poor 30% fair 56% good 1% excellent Dry edible peas: 0% very poor 5% poor 45% fair 48% good 2% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Winter wheat harvested: 6% this week 1% last week 3% last year 9% 5-year average Barley harvested: 1% this week NA last week NA last year NA 5-year average Dry edible peas harvested: NA this week NA last week 3% last year 10% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting: 50% this week 38% last week 23% last year 62% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 3rd cutting: 2% this week NA last week NA last year NA 5-year average