Crop progress report 10/20: Cooler temperatures settled in Washington

There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 7 days the previous week. Northwest Washington received substantial rainfall last week. In Clark and Cowlitz counties, conditions were still dry, although grasses began to green up. In central Washington, the weather started to cool down, and cattle continued coming home from the mountains. Yakima County had peppers and tomato plants that were still green, but production was down after cool nights. Canal irrigation had been turned off earlier this month. Hop harvest was complete. Most field corn had been harvested. Peaches were starting to show leaf color, while blueberry plantings were showing off brilliant orange and red leaf color. Apple harvest continued with farm laborers laying out color-up fabrics in the late maturing varieties like Fuji and Cripps Pink. Ferry and Okanogan counties reported very dry soil conditions. In northeast Washington, the weather started cooling, and field work for fall planted crops was wrapping up. Cattle were brought home, and calves were weaned.

Washington crop condition:

Winter wheat: 7% very poor 13% poor 31% fair 41% good 8% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Winter wheat planted: 98% this week 93% last week 93% last year 91% 5-year average Winter wheat emerged: 74% this week 63% last week 66% last year 66% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 4th cutting: 95% this week 88% last week 89% last year 83% 5-year average