Crop progress report 07/31: Triple digit temperatures in Washington

From NASS There were 7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, unchanged from the previous week. Statewide temperatures were high. In western Washington, the hot weather helped corn silage progress. Some areas of south Snohomish and north King counties experienced field conditions that remained too wet to complete any fieldwork. In Whatcom County, the excessive heat caused raspberry shrinkage. Nonirrigated crops also showed heat stress. In central Washington, the weather continued to be hot and dry. In Okanogan County, several cherry producers experienced heat-related mildew on the late-season cherries. There were reports of sunburn on apples. In Klickitat and Yakima counties, the daytime temperatures remained in the triple digits throughout the week. No precipitation was received for the third consecutive week. Winter wheat harvest started, and field crews also began to harvest the early peach and nectarine varieties. Green beans, summer squashes, winter squashes, sweet corn, eggplant, cucumber, melons, peppers, tomatoes and early potatoes were available at farmer’s markets. Most hops were in the midst of flowering. In northeast Washington, temperatures remained above 100, and the weather was dry. In east central Washington, conditions were hot, but the weather prepared crops for harvest. Harvest began for both winter wheat and winter canola.

Washington crop condition

Winter wheat: 1% very poor 2% poor 21% fair 57% good 19% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 0% poor 3% fair 83% good 14% excellent Barley: 0% very poor 0% poor 4% fair 86% good 10% excellent Dry edible peas: 0% very poor 0% poor 8% fair 77% good 15% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat harvested: 1% this week 0% last week 36% last year 13% 5-year average Winter wheat harvested: 10% this week 5% last week 71% last year 39% 5-year average Barley harvested: 2% this week 1% last week 35% last year 12% 5-year average Dry edible peas harvested: 23% this week 14% last week 49% last year 44% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting: 71% this week 42% last week 100% last year 93% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 3rd cutting: 8% this week 3% last week 15% last year 28% 5-year average