WAWG
From NASS
There were 6 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 6.3 days recorded the previous week.
Western Washington saw dry conditions until the weekend. Producers were busy irrigating fields. Strawberry harvest was underway for fresh and processed markets.
Central Washington had a windstorm on June 13 and 14. Heavy smoke was seen from the Canadian forest fires. The cooler temperatures made the spring wheat crop look good. Producers were expecting a better spring wheat yield than winter wheat in the southeast part of the district. Recent temperatures helped the grass in pasturelands. In Yakima County, there was no precipitation received over the past week. The apricot crop was beginning to increase in size and color. Sweet cherries showed awesome color development as growers moved bins into orchards. Early varieties of cherries were already finding their way to the packinghouse. Field crews were in orchards thinning apples. June-bearing raspberries and blueberries were flowering and setting fruit. Summer squashes were being harvested from vines transplanted under plastic. Sweet corn was starting to tassel, but leaf curl was noted as some plants staved off hot and dry conditions. Hop bines were reaching the top of their 18-foot trellises. The dry weather allowed alfalfa growers to cut and dry a significant portion of the crop in the Yakima Valley.
Northeast Washington also saw windstorms that blew in smoke from the north. Pasture grass grew well, along with winter and spring wheat.
In east central Washington, producers were concerned about low falling numbers due to late-maturity alpha-amylase, which is caused by temperature shocks during maturation. The region experienced large swings in temperatures.
Southeast Washington had unusually cold temperatures for this time of year, which slowed the onset of harvest.
Washington crop condition
Winter wheat:
1% very poor
5% poor
32% fair
56% good
6% excellent
Spring wheat:
1% very poor
18% poor
39% fair
35% good
7% excellent
Barley:
1% very poor
11% poor
30% fair
56% good
2% excellent
Dry edible peas:
0% very poor
10% poor
35% fair
50% good
5% excellent
Washington crop progress:
Spring wheat headed:
41% this week
17% last week
13% last year
36% 5-year average
Winter wheat headed:
90% this week
81% last week
65% last year
88% 5-year average
Barley headed:
34% this week
4% last week
19% last year
40% 5-year average
Alfalfa hay 1st cutting:
78% this week
68% last week
58% last year
NA 5-year average
Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting:
4% this week
NA last week
NA last year
NA 5-year average