Crop progress report 5/8: Some field conditions improved; others were still too wet

From NASS There were 5.9 days suitable for field work last week. Pasture and range conditions were reported at 0 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 10 percent fair, 73 percent good and 14 percent excellent. A low temperature of 29 degrees F was reported in both the central and east central regions while a high temperature of 92 degrees F was reported in the southeast region. Statewide temperature differentials ranged from 2 degrees below normal to 6 degrees above normal. In the west, many regions still remained too wet for field equipment with water pooled in some fields. First cuttings of grass hay were reported. Planting delays ranged from two to three weeks for most operations in the west, with only a select few on higher and drier grounds capable of planting. Orchard and fruit operations were doing well. Fruit trees finished blooming. Vegetable growers planted in high tunnels. Livestock were out on pasture if conditions permitted. In the central region, field conditions began to dry out. However, producers were still unable to access most fields with equipment. Fruit trees were blooming. Fields were prepared for vegetables crops. Livestock were doing well on pastures where permitted, and hay crops were taking off. In the northeast region, fields began to dry out, however, producers were still getting tractors stuck. Herbicide spraying continued in row crop fields and other field preparations began where possible. Asparagus harvest continued. Apple and pear trees were in bloom. The cherry crop looked good. In the southeast region, producers reported spotty rust in some fields. Weather improvement helped producers get some spring work completed. Most spring wheat planting was complete and producers were trying to get barley planted.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 2% very poor 1% poor 17% fair 62% good 18% excellent Oats: 0% very poor 0% poor 10% fair 50% good 40% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat planted: 72% this week 49% last week 87% last year 91% 5-year average Spring wheat emerged: 46% this week 11% last week 72% last year 69% 5-year average Winter wheat headed: 1% this week N/A last week 23% last year 6% 5-year average Barley planted: 63% this week 29% last week 67% last year 80% 5-year average Barley emerged: 38% this week 4% last week 56% last year 55% 5-year average Oats planted: 33% this week 19% last week 46% last year NA 5-year average Oats emerged: 1% this week NA last week 32% last year NA 5-year average Dry peas planted: 39% this week 30% last week 68% last year 62% 5-year average Dry peas emerged: 5% this week NA last week NA last year NA 5-year average Alfalfa hay 1st cutting: 1% this week NA last week NA last year NA 5-year average