WAWG
From NASS
There were 7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, up from 6.1 days reported the previous week. Statewide, average temperatures continued to remain well above normal throughout Washington. Little to no precipitation was reported. Light frost was reported in the northeastern corner of the state. Soil moisture and pasture conditions degraded some from the previous week. Wildfire smoke continued to linger in Central and Western Washington.
Growers in Western Washington continued to irrigate potato fields to facilitate harvest. Fall planted vegetable seed crops were irrigated to ensure plants size up before winter. In some locations, continued dry conditions and relatively high temperatures delayed fall regrowth on pastures. Reduced forage availability for grazing livestock forced some producers to start feeding hay. Lack of soil moisture also delayed fall planting of cover crops.
In Central Washington, a lack of precipitation caused the reporting area to slip back into moderate drought. Winter wheat, planted this fall, was impacted by dry soil conditions. Areas of little to no germination were visible, and plant growth was behind normal. Very little fall green up for pastures was reported. Apple harvest in the Yakima Valley was in full throttle. Mid to late season varieties were shipped to the packinghouse with a little over half the apple crop harvested. Most of the pear crop was harvested as well. Wine grapes were coming in over the past couple of weeks as cool nights helped set the sugar levels and facilitated berry ripeness. Hop harvest finished up. No early–season frosts were reported throughout the crop–producing areas of Yakima Valley, so peppers, tomatoes and squash were still the prominent vegetables on the market.
Winter wheat seeding started to wrap up in southeast Washington.
Washington crop progress:
Winter wheat planted:
80 this week
66% last week
86% last year
78% 5-year average
Winter wheat emerged:
46% this week
34% last week
49% last year
47% 5-year average
Alfalfa hay 4th cutting:
64% this week
50% last week
68% last year
74% 5-year average