WAWG
From NASS
There were 6.4 days suitable for field work last week. Pasture and range conditions were reported at 2 percent poor, 8 percent fair, 73 percent good and 17 percent excellent. A low temperature of 37 degrees F was reported in the central region, while a high temperature of 95 was reported in both the central and southeastern regions. Statewide differentials ranged from 1 degree above normal to 10 degrees above normal.
In the western region, the weather conditions improved considerably, with lots of sunshine and dry conditions permitting planting. Operations rushed to catch up on planting, with some behind by at most a month. There were some areas that were still a little wet with pooled water. Corn was being worked, wet or not, since the normal planting period had passed. Strawberries were in bloom along with raspberries and blueberries. Livestock were grazing and doing nicely. Hay and grass cuttings were underway. Prevented plantings were reported for beets and wheat. Some extremely windy conditions were felt in parts of San Juan. The week was mostly hot overall, which dried the fields and allowed a full week of work for catch-up.
In the central region, warm weather arrived, which caused the wheat to ripen and was expected to reduce stripe rust. Dry canola was in bloom. Moisture and rains from prior weeks have made some fields inaccessible, either due to planting or road conditions. Livestock and hay cuttings were progressing well, with some grass fields tall and thick from the prior wet weather. Conditions were also a bit windy, which helped to dry the region further and helped vegetable field work. Fruit was doing well, despite the wind and cold. The central region had nice sunny conditions with a little wind as well, which allowed for work.
In the eastern regions, the sun was a welcome sight, with grass hay cuttings underway. Temperatures were much higher this week than prior years around the same time, drying fields out. Spring planting was nearly finished. Hay cuttings were progressing at an accelerated rate. Field corn was emerging, while potato and onions were doing well. Wheat was doing well with the warmer weather. The temperatures were noted to be a little too high in some spots, raising some concerns for spring and winter cereal crops.
Washington state appeared to be finally entering spring-like weather, with farmers hurrying to catch-up.
Washington crop conditions:
Winter wheat:
1% very poor
3% poor
13% fair
66% good
17% excellent
Spring wheat:
0% very poor
1% poor
26% fair
65% good
8% excellent
Barley:
0% very poor
2% poor
20% fair
69% good
9% excellent
Oats:
0% very poor
0% poor
63% fair
27% good
10% excellent
Washington crop progress:
Spring wheat emerged:
81% this week
80% last week
96% last year
97% 5-year average
Winter wheat headed:
38% this week
14% last week
73% last year
50% 5-year average
Barley planted:
92% this week
88% last week
100% last year
100% 5-year average
Barley emerged:
75% this week
73% last week
89% last year
92% 5-year average
Barley headed:
1% this week
NA last week
4% last year
2% 5-year average
Oats planted:
52% this week
43% last week
90% last year
NA 5-year average
Oats emerged:
30% this week
25% last week
64% last year
NA 5-year average
Oats headed:
1% this week
NA last week
NA last year
NA 5-year average
Dry peas planted:
86% this week
80% last week
95% last year
97% 5-year average
Dry peas emerged:
57% this week
46% last week
NA last year
NA 5-year average
Alfalfa hay 1st cutting:
41% this week
23% last week
65% last year
47% 5-year average