Crop progress report 0901: Dry week for Washington producers

From NASS There were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, up from 6.4 days suitable the previous week. Western Washington had a dry week; prime growing areas had a deficit of eight to 12 inches of rainfall. Soil moisture and drought conditions intensified with only a trace of precipitation for the past week. Shallow-rooted crops and pasture conditions deteriorated. Livestock producers started to feed forage that has been typically saved for winter. Row crop harvest was under way. The Sound also had dry conditions with warm days. San Juan County had a couple of teasing low-pressure systems that wet the ground only to be evaporated off. Early apples ripened and were harvested. Blueberry harvest wrapped up. Late-planted field corn in Snohomish County started to tassel. Late blight was reported throughout the county on tomatoes. Kittitas and Yakima counties were warmer than usual and received little to no precipitation. The monthly accumulation of precipitation for August was a mere trace. Peaches and nectarines were still being harvested. Gala apple harvest throughout lower Yakima Valley started. Bartlett pears were coming into packinghouses. Hop cone harvest started this week. Vegetable stands and farmers’ markets were loaded with sweet corn, cantaloupe, watermelon, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and squashes. Early-planted winter wheat in Douglas County already sprouted. Harvest on the Palouse neared completion, and producers started to prepare for seeding.

Washington crop conditions:

Spring wheat: 1% very poor 4% poor 38% fair 50% good 7% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat harvested: 61% this week 47% last week 86% last year 90% 5-year average Winter wheat harvested: 91% this week 84% last week 97% last year 99% 5-year average Winter wheat planted: 11% this week NA last week 11% last year 8% 5-year average Barley harvested: 59% this week 48% last week 88% last year 90% 5-year average Oats harvested: 56% this week 45% last week 58% last year NA 5-year average Dry peas harvested: 78% this week 76% last week 87% last year 92% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 3rd cutting: 83% this week 81% last week 85% last year 6822 5-year average Alfalfa hay 4th cutting: 30% this week 29% last week 26% last year 26% 5-year average