Crop progress report 8/14: Hot, dry conditions continued throughout Washington

From NASS There were 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 7 days the previous week. Western Washington received little to no precipitation. In south central Washington, weather conditions were hot and dry throughout the area. In Chelan County, soil moistures dropped heading into fall planting. In Klickitat County, winter grain harvest was in full swing. Second cutting of hay wrapped up, and third cutting was underway. In Yakima County, a lighter-than-normal peach and nectarine crop continued coming into packing houses. Summer pears, like D’Anjou, sized up nicely and approached harvest. The apple crop set was variable throughout the county. Some growers began to prop limbs to better hold a plentiful fruit crop. Light green colored hop cones were visible in contrast to darker green leaf canopy, and harvest was set to begin within the next couple weeks. Major wildfires in Yakima County were mostly contained with no crop loss reported. In southeast Washington, scattered thunderstorms halted harvest for a day or two and caused some damage to crops.

Washington crop condition

Winter wheat: 1% very poor 3% poor 23% fair 56% good 17% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 0% poor 3% fair 84% good 13% excellent Barley: 0% very poor 0% poor 3% fair 87% good 10% excellent Dry edible peas: 0% very poor 0% poor 11% fair 76% good 13% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat harvested: 14% this week 6% last week 61% last year 39% 5-year average Winter wheat harvested: 45% this week 27% last week 91% last year 74% 5-year average Barley harvested: 24% this week 15% last week 66% last year 44% 5-year average Dry edible peas harvested: 38% this week 30% last week 63% last year 66% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting: 90% this week 81% last week NA last year NA 5-year average Alfalfa hay 3rd cutting: 14% this week 10% last week 48% last year 57% 5-year average