Crop progress report 0701: Dry southwest Washington contrasted the remainder of cool, moist state

From NASS There were 6.6 days suitable for field work last week. Pasture and range conditions were reported at 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 65 percent good and 4 percent excellent. A low temperature of 37 degrees F was reported in the northeast region, while a high temperature of 94 degrees F was reported in the southeast region. Statewide temperature differential ranged between 4 degrees below normal to 7 degrees above normal. Producers in southwestern Washington reported that soil a few inches deep was dust despite the recent rain showers. Corn was at eight to ten inches tall. Irrigated berries were doing well, but non-irrigated crops were faring poorly. There was concern about dry conditions. Cowlitz County cut hay early due to dryness. The Puget Sound had cool temperatures and a third inch of rain, which resulted in good ground moisture. Apples and pears in San Juan County continued to size up. Whatcom County raspberry growers were busy with harvest. Blueberries were beginning to ripen. An average cherry crop was harvested in Chelan and Douglas Counties. The wheat crop started to turn. Numerous small fires started in eastern Klickitat County. There were fewer alfalfa cuttings in the central part of the county due to both alfalfa weevil damage and dry conditions in the last two months. Early varieties of cherries were picked in Franklin County. Beans emerged throughout the county. Some spring wheat in the Columbia Basin had Fusarium head blight. The cool conditions on the Palouse last week were favorable for cereal crops. Some areas were sprayed for rust on winter wheat. 

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 0% very poor 2% poor 16% fair 59% good 23% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 1% poor 19% fair 68% good 12% excellent Barley: 0% very poor 0% poor 13% fair 73% good 14% excellent Oats: 0% very poor 1% poor 45% fair 52% good 2% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat headed: 88% this week 81% last week 80% last year 85% 5-year average Barley headed: 82% this week 78% last week 66% last year 80% 5-year average Oats headed: 49% this week 44% last week 15% last year NA 5-year average Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting: 51% this week 36% last week 33% last year 21% 5-year average