Crop progress report 0728: Thunderstorms roiled across pastures in Eastern Washington

From NASS There were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, down from 7.0 days suitable the previous week. Temperatures warmed up in Asotin and Garfield counties, which helped winter wheat finish maturing. Windy conditions were reported. In Douglas County, winter wheat harvest began and early yields were reported as average to above-average. Harvest was in full swing in Lincoln County. Thunderstorms passed through Douglas and Chelan counties and caused a number of fires. No crop damage was reported, but pastureland and CRP acreage was burned in Douglas County’s Browns Canyon Fire. Soft fruit harvest continued in Chelan County. In Franklin County, temperatures finally reached a near-normal level for late July. Thunderstorms, including hail, high winds and rain passed through Franklin County, though no crop damage was reported. Peaches and nectarines were picked, while cherry harvest wrapped up. Grass seed was combined. Third cutting hay continued in some areas. In Yakima County, thunderstorms dropped half an inch of rain and hail, while lightning sparked fires county-wide. Some fires grew into uncontained brush fires. Air quality dropped to unhealthy levels. Late cherries trickled in, and peach picking picked up. Bins were put out in Bartlett pear orchards. Blueberry harvest ramped up. In northwestern Washington, temperatures rose again and helped crops mature. Raspberries and blueberries were harvested. In Whatcom County, seed potatoes bloomed and silage corn tasseled. Minor precipitation was received, but irrigation was still necessary. In Skagit County, a good deal of seed crops were cut. Grain harvest began in Snohomish, King, Jefferson and Clallam counties. Many producers combined light rainfall with irrigation last week. However, in San Juan County, lack of irrigation infrastructure prevented producers from irrigating where necessary. Most crops throughout western Washington looked good with light degradation due to a combination of drought and the return of summer heat.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 1% very poor 4% poor 20% fair 62% good 13% excellent Spring wheat: 2% very poor 4% poor 28% fair 57% good 9% excellent Barley: 1% very poor 2% poor 28% fair 64% good 5% excellent Oats: 0% very poor 1% poor 36% fair 62% good 1% excellent Dry edible pea: 0% very poor 2% poor 13% fair 74% good 11% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat harvested: 2% this week 0% last week 5% last year 14% 5-year average Winter wheat harvested: 19% this week 10% last week 26% last year 39% 5-year average Barley harvested: 1% this week 0% last week 2% last year 9% 5-year average Oats headed: 89% this week 78% last week 90% last year NA 5-year average Oats harvested: 0% this week 0% last week 3% last year NA 5-year average Dry peas harvested: 45% this week 14% last week 41% last year 50% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting: 93% this week 88% last week 94% last year 81% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 3rd cutting: 27% this week 2% last week 48% last year NA 5-year average