WAWG
For the week ending April 3, 2016
Warmer temperatures led to field activity in Washington
Days suitable for fieldwork were 5.8. Pasture and range conditions were reported to be 3% very poor, 0% poor, 30% fair, 64% good, and 3% excellent. The temperatures in Washington ranged from the mid-twenties to the high seventies, which made the average temperature warmer than normal. Fields dried up last week, allowing farmers to begin field work. Some fields were still too saturated with moisture to begin work. Cranberry growth started earlier than normal leaving growers to plan ahead for frost protection. Stone fruits in Western Washington were in full bloom with pears and apples following closely behind. Fruit orchards in Grant County were busy spraying and running wind machines to protect the fruit from low temperatures. There were many reports of strong pasture growth along with the legume component responding to warming temperatures. Dairy farmers were busy emptying lagoons according to their manure management plans. Producers began cutting cover crops for silage. Farmers began planting their potatoes in Grant County. The south area of Walla Walla was seeded with dry peas while the surrounding areas tried to finish seeding spring wheat and barley. Overall, the temperature was warmer than normal and farmers were able to accomplish more last week than the previous week.
Crop condition
Winter wheat: 0% very poor; 1% poor; 12% fair; 82% good; 5% excellent.
Spring wheat: 0% very poor; 0% poor; 24% fair; 76% good; 0% excellent.
Barley: 0% very poor; 0% poor; 10% fair; 88% good; 2% excellent.