Crop progress report 07/30: Dry conditions, wildfires affected harvest in Washington

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, unchanged from 7 days reported the previous week. Western Washington experienced continued dry conditions. Central Washington felt cooler temperatures from last week, with daily highs in the upper 80s, but faced another dry week. A large fire in the eastern part of Klickitat County burned 60,000 total acres, which included some wheat, CRP, and native pasture. In Yakima County, the week started with temperatures in the mid-80s, gradually increasing to the lower 90s by the weekend. Air quality was good for most of the week. Fruit growers harvested late maturing sweet cherries, peaches, and blueberries. Vegetable crop availability hit its peak with a diversity of cucumbers, summer squashes, peppers, tomatoes, sweet corn, and melons. In east central Washington, harvest was officially underway. Northeast Washington dealt with dry conditions and no rainfall. Winter wheat harvest started, and pastures looked well grazed. A lot of hay was piled up in the area. Southeast Washington experienced dry conditions. 

Washington crop condition

Winter wheat: 3% very poor 18% poor 37% fair 39% good 3% excellent Spring wheat: 2% very poor 28% poor 34% fair 34% good 2% excellent Barley: 1% very poor 12% poor 42% fair 45% good 0% excellent Dry edible peas: 0% very poor 7% poor 44% fair 49% good 0% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Winter wheat harvested: 36% this week 20% last week 9% last year 32% 5-year average Spring wheat harvested: 12% this week 4% last week 1% last year 11% 5-year average Barley harvested: 12% this week 5% last week 2% last year 10% 5-year average Dry edible peas harvested: 10% this week 8% last week 22% last year 37% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting: 83% this week 67% last week 67% last year 89% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 3rd cutting: 20% this week 10%NA last week 7% last year 24% 5-year average