From NASS
There were 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, up from 6.0 the previous week.
The Puget Sound had warm daytime temperatures, abundant sunshine and cool nights. Fieldwork and planting were in full swing. Spinach, beets, spring wheat, barley and potatoes were planted. Conditions were dry. Late apples bloomed, and berry crops were leafing out. Annual vegetable crops were in high tunnels, and outside-grown vegetables were being seeded and transplanted.
Whatcom County had ideal weather conditions for producers to access fields and prepare for planting. Blueberries were in bloom, and raspberry vines progressed with the favorable temperatures. Corn, grass and potato planting began. Skagit County drastically changed from wet conditions to dry conditions. Fields were bustling in Snohomish County with the first cuttings of green chop, hay silage and baleage completed. Apple bloom wrapped up.
Fruit trees in Benton County were behind schedule due to the long winter. Cherries in Chelan and Douglas counties’ high-elevation orchards were in bloom. Apple trees started to bloom. A hail storm in Chelan County whitened the ground. Minimal damage occurred as a result. Morning frosts caused some damage in fruit orchards.
Alfalfa yellowed in Klickitat County due to frosty mornings. Orchards were in bloom. Spring pastures greened up and livestock producers were releasing their animals in most of central Washington. Franklin County had mild winds and breezes. Northeastern Washington had mild temperatures, plenty of wind and little moisture. The dry April allowed planting to wrap up on the Palouse.
Washington crop conditions:
Winter wheat:
0% very poor
1% poor
30% fair
61% good
8% excellent
Washington crop progress:
Spring wheat planted:
72% this week
52% last week
82% last year
85% 5-year average
Spring wheat emerged:
34% this week
4% last week
46% last year
58% 5-year average
Winter wheat headed:
2% this week
1% last week
3% last year
6% 5-year average
Barley planted:
61% this week
39% last week
65% last year
70% 5-year average
Barley emerged:
33% this week
6% last week
34% last year
45% 5-year average
Oats planted:
36% this week
30% last week
24% last year
NA 5-year average
Oats emerged:
18% this week
5% last week
13% last year
NA 5-year average
Dry peas planted:
49% this week
31% last week
55% last year
60% 5-year average
Alfalfa hay 1st cutting:
1% this week
0% last week
NA last year
NA 5-year average