Crop progress report 08/02: Hot, dry weather continued in Washington

From NASS There were 7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, the same number as reported the previous week. Some deterioration in pasture and range conditions was reported statewide. It was a good year for berries in the western part of the state. Cane berry harvest continued. Late Marionberries and raspberries started to slow down. Blueberries started to come on. Tree fruit continued to size up. Forage for grazing started to deteriorate due to lack of moisture. Barley plantings looked good, and most were close to harvest. Farmers markets and U-pick experienced high volumes of pickers and buyers. Most U-pick operations picked out within 2-3 hours for the day. Hay producers finished their second cutting of alfalfa. Third cutting was coming along nicely. Upland pasture in Okanogan and Ferry counties started to dry out in a typical manner for elevated forested environments. Daytime high temperatures remained in the upper 90 to lower 100s all week in Yakima County. Weekend highs dropped to the mid-90s. Blueberries, peaches, nectarines and melons were harvested. Cherry harvest was nearly complete. Numerous vegetable crops were harvested and marketed, including tomatoes, tomatillos, cucumbers, and summer squashes. Sweet corn harvest picked up. Growers were cutting ground cover and placing bins out in Bartlett pear orchards. The grain harvest continued in very hot and dry conditions in southeastern Washington.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 0% very poor 2% poor 22% fair 50% good 26% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 6% poor 12% fair 63% good 19% excellent Barley: 0% very poor 6% poor 6% fair 66% good 22% excellent Oats: 0% very poor 1% poor 5% fair 72% good 22% excellent Dried edible peas: 0% very poor 0% poor 11% fair 57% good 32% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat harvested: 9% this week 7% last week 8% last year 21% 5-year average Winter wheat harvested: 33% this week 19% last week 30% last year 48% 5-year average Barley harvested: 12% this week 10% last week 7% last year 16% 5-year average Oats harvested: 11% this week 2% last week 7% last year 14% 5-year average Dry edible peas harvested 28% this week 20% last week 53% last year 58% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting: 91% this week 82% last week 97% last year 91% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 3rd cutting: 20% this week 3% last week 40% last year 38% 5-year average