Crop progress report 07/23: Drought conditions impact Washington

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, unchanged from 7 days reported the previous week. The continued drought in Western Washington has caused difficult farming conditions. Central Washington dealt with heat and lack of moisture that impacted wheat and forage crops. Forage crops had little regrowth; in some areas, cattle grazed fields that should have been a second cutting of hay. In Yakima County, daytime highs for the week started in the lower 80s but neared triple digits by the end of the week. The county received no rain, and several brushfires started throughout the county, with some fires shutting down interstate highways. Growers started peach harvest. There were late-maturing sweet cherries that passed through the packing houses. Pear growers moved bins into orchards to prepare for the Bartlett harvest. Vegetable harvest picked up with more cucumbers, summer squashes, peppers, sweet corn, and melons at roadside stands. Some early hop cones were maturing, and hop harvest was anticipated to start within the next couple of weeks. In east central Washington, producers geared up for harvest. Northeast Washington experienced continued dry conditions, and harvest was expected to begin soon. Southeast Washington experienced warm temperatures and high winds, with harvest already in full swing.

Washington crop condition

Winter wheat: 3% very poor 15% poor 35% fair 44% good 3% excellent Spring wheat: 2% very poor 25% poor 33% fair 38% good 2% excellent Barley: 1% very poor 11% poor 38% fair 50% good 0% excellent Dry edible peas: 0% very poor 6% poor 47% fair 46% good 1% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Winter wheat harvested: 20% this week 6% last week 5% last year 18% 5-year average Spring wheat harvested: 4% this week NA last week NA last year 3% 5-year average Barley harvested: 5% this week 1% last week 1% last year 4% 5-year average Dry edible peas harvested: 8% this week NA last week 12% last year 19% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting: 67% this week 50% last week 39% last year 78% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 3rd cutting: 10% this week 2%NA last week 3% last year NA 5-year average