WAWG
From NASS
There were 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 7 days recorded the previous week.
Western Washington received a couple of days of rain which helped promote grass growth in pastures.
Central Washington had a good week of farming. Most of the first cutting of hay had been cut and baled. There was low moisture, so pastureland and hay crops were not regrowing. Spring-seeded crops were not doing well because they needed more heat and moisture for growth. The week started hot in Yakima County, but cloud cover rolled in later and dropped daytime high temperatures. Light rain was seen throughout the region. Asparagus harvest was completed. Green onion crops were maturing as leaves started to turn white and wilt back. Field corn was knee high throughout the Yakima Valley. Cucurbits and squashes were filling in ground space in vegetable fields. Cherry harvest started with early sweet cherries, like Rainier cherries, coming over the packing lines. Apricots were gaining color with an orange blush on greenish fruits. Pear fruitlets were sizing up with petioles drooping down due to the weight of the fruit. Grape berry bunches were forming on wine grapes. Hop bines ranged from waist high to approaching the top of the trellis as producers worked to extend the harvest period.
In northeast Washington, producers saw a fast-moving storm that brought heavy rain and some wind damage on Thursday evening. All planted fields had emerged, and most of the winter wheat had headed. Pastures were looking good, and the rain helped in adding moisture.
East central Washington saw good weather for farm activities. Potatoes were up, and flowering, early cherry harvest was underway, and asparagus harvest was winding down. The first cutting of hay was nearly complete in the south end of Franklin County, and the north end was coming along as well. Light rain was seen across the district, so crop and soil conditions were mostly unchanged.
In southeast Washington, scattered showers and thunderstorms brought much needed moisture to some areas. There was some flooding in some areas, but it was unclear if there was damage to crops or livestock.
Washington crop condition
Winter wheat:
3% very poor
7% poor
35% fair
50% good
5% excellent
Spring wheat:
3% very poor
19% poor
40% fair
31% good
7% excellent
Barley:
3% very poor
9% poor
31% fair
55% good
2% excellent
Dry edible peas:
0% very poor
8% poor
33% fair
54% good
5% excellent
Washington crop progress:
Spring wheat headed:
17% this week
0% last week
2% last year
13% 5-year average
Winter wheat headed:
81% this week
63% last week
45% last year
76% 5-year average
Barley emerged:
95% this week
87% last week
95% last year
92% 5-year average
Barley headed:
4% this week
0% last week
4% last year
17% 5-year average
Dry edible peas emerged:
95% this week
89% last week
94% last year
NA 5-year average
Alfalfa hay 1st cutting:
68% this week
52% last week
47% last year
74% 5-year average