Crop progress report 08/27: Still hot, dry in Washington

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service There were 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, up from 6.4 days reported the previous week. Western Washington continued to see dry conditions. Grains were almost ready for harvest in San Juan County. Central Washington remained dry but saw temperatures drop. In Klickitat County, spring wheat harvest was almost halfway complete, and fall calving had started. Pasture was very weak. In Yakima County, there were scattered showers on Friday. Tree fruit harvest was picking up with peaches, plums, early maturing apples, and Bartlett pears. Vegetable harvest was picking up with sweet corn, squashes, melons, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and cucumbers. A few isolated hopyards had been harvested. Northeast Washington continued to see dry conditions. In east central Washington, winter wheat seeding was in full swing. Southeast Washington saw more dry weather.

Washington crop progress:

Winter wheat harvested: 94% this week 87% last week 83% last year 89% 5-year average Winter wheat planted: 7% this week 2% last week 7% last year 9% 5-year average Spring wheat harvested: 78% this week 53% last week 58% last year 66% 5-year average Barley harvested: 79% this week 56% last week 57% last year 68% 5-year average Dry edible peas harvested: 60% this week 51% last week 60% last year 71% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 3rd cutting: 78% this week 55%NA last week 36% last year 67% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 4th cutting: 25% this week 16% last week NA last year NA 5-year average