Crop progress report 04/19: Dry conditions in Eastern Washington

From NASS

There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, unchanged from the previous week. In Western Washington, spring field cultivation and planting progressed well. Pastures looked good. Beef cattle were pastured and not being fed additional hay. There was excellent weather for field preparation. Some producers finished harrowing, and some anticipated starting to harrow this week. Those who finished harrowing had moved on to chopping for silage or green chop. Many fields were tilled. Fruit trees, such as pears and plums, were blooming.

In Benton County, wind caused haze and soil movement. Klickitat County reported it was very dry, and crops were not looking good. In Yakima County, bloom was complete for peaches, nectarines, plums, cherries and pears. Some apple varieties were in full bloom. Asparagus harvest was ongoing. Grape vines were showing green buds. More vegetable fields were prepared with irrigation and black plastic.

In Eastern Washington, it was dry in many places. Livestock conditions were favorable. There were lots of people working in the fields. Cold, dry conditions caused limited frost damage in a few low-lying areas of the fields. Topsoil moisture conditions continued to dry. In Whitman County, frosts early last week caused injury to winter wheat, but it had recovered. Most emerged canola was killed and many producers started to replant. Legumes were planted.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat:
0% very poor
3% poor
25% fair
62% good
10% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat planted:
78% this week
57% last week
24% last year
49% 5-year average

Spring wheat emerged:
47% this week
20% last week
0% last year
14% 5-year average

Barley planted:
70% this week
50% last week
19% last year
30% 5-year average

Barley emerged:
30% this week
14% last week
1% last year
7% 5-year average

Oats planted:
35% this week
13% last week
25% last year
22% 5-year average

Oats emerged:
1% this week
NA last week
1% last year
8% 5-year average

Dry peas planted:
52% this week
27% last week
12% last year
28% 5-year average