Crop progress report 0727: Winter wheat harvest continues in sunbaked Washington

From NASS There were 7 days suitable for field work last week. Pasture and range conditions were 9 percent very poor, 20 percent poor, 37 percent fair and 34 percent good. A low temperature of 42 degrees F and a high temperature of 105 degrees F were reported in the southeast region. Statewide temperature differentials ranged between 3 degrees below normal to 13 degrees above normal. All areas of the state reported hot and dry conditions; Easton and Spokane were the only areas to receive precipitation. Crop conditions were good in Snohomish and Jefferson counties. Corn was showing tassel. While a few areas showed weather-related stress, many corn plants were over eight feet tall and had good color. Winter wheat was ready for harvest. Fields in Jefferson County were well prepared and crops were planted in good seed beds. Excessive heat in Whatcom County affected raspberry plants, they struggled to draw enough water for plant support and quality berry production. Blueberry harvest was in full swing in Whatcom and San Juan counties. The dry conditions posed a risk for Pacific County regarding low water storage and cranberry harvest. Continued heat in San Juan County hurt pasture conditions and barley plantings. Only irrigated CSA farms and orchards were green. Chelan and Douglas counties continued to harvest winter wheat. Approximately 1,500 acres of wheat burned in Douglas County due to a combine fire. Winter wheat harvest continued in Klickitat County. Yakima County did not receive precipitation for the sixth consecutive week. Apples were beginning to color while producers set up overhead netting, kaolin clay, and other crop protectants to reduce sunburn. Peaches, nectarines and plums entered peak harvest. Bartlett pear growers distributed bins in orchards to prepare for harvest. Early hops were setting cones. Tomatoes and eggplant appeared in roadside stands with cucumbers, sweet corn, green beans, peppers, and summer squash. Fall grain harvest started in northeastern Washington. Spring grains were green, but maturing quickly. Early sweet corn, grass seed, various vegetables and cherries were harvested in Franklin County. The second crop of buckwheat was planted on harvested wheat fields. Lincoln County reported frost damage in winter wheat. The Palouse continued harvest.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 0% very poor 1% poor 14% fair 62% good 23% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 2% poor 15% fair 70% good 13% excellent Barley: 0% very poor 1% poor 12% fair 77% good 10% excellent Oats: 0% very poor 2% poor 22% fair 76% good 0% excellent Dry edible peas: 0% very poor 0% poor 7% fair 63% good 30% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat harvested: 6% this week 0% last week 5% last year 15% 5-year average Winter wheat harvested: 28% this week 16% last week 29% last year 43% 5-year average Barley harvested: 2 this week 0% last week 3% last year 10% 5-year average Oats headed: 90% this week 89% last week 92% last year NA 5-year average Oats harvested: 3% this week 0% last week 2% last year NA 5-year average Dry peas harvested: 44% this week 23% last week 45% last year 47% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting: 95% this week 91% last week 83% last year 79% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 3rd cutting: 52% this week 21% last week 16% last year NA% 5-year average