OLYMPIA, Wash. — There were 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork in Oregon, down from 6.6 days the previous week. Benton, Marion, and Polk Counties reported damage to berry crops due to the recent hot and dry conditions. Some harvest activities were paused or pursued in the late evening, as it was too hot during the day, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Crop Progress and Condition Report from the Northwest Regional Field Office.
Columbia, Multnomah, and Washington Counties also reported excessive heat and lack of precipitation, which caused stress to horticultural crops. As such, there was an increase in irrigation management and some crops matured too rapidly. Blackberry crops had some sunburn from the heat. Non- irrigated pastures began to dry quickly, while grass seed and grain crop harvest went well.
Clatsop and Tillamook Counties in Oregon also reported irrigation management, with continued cutting, raking, and baling activities. Gilliam, Hood River, Wasco, and Wheeler Counties reported that harvest activities were in full swing with ongoing dry and windy conditions. Baker and Grant Counties reported the area had seen a lot of fire activity, with hot and dry conditions to aggravate the situation.
Umatilla County reported excessive heat, which caused many crops to reach maturity and dry very quickly. Winter wheat harvest began in low rainfall areas. Winter canola and camelina harvests were underway.
Malheur County experienced very hot and dry conditions, which caused stress for crops, pasture, and range. This presented a significant challenge for irrigation management. Fungicide applications were taking place on onions. Producers continued to assess and report damage from the heavy wind, rain, and hailstorm in late June.
Malheur County had several wildfires start this week, including the Cow Valley fire.
Summer heats up in Washington
There were 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 7.0 days the previous week. Western Washington continued to see hot and dry conditions. In Whatcom County, raspberry growers reported some damage due to excessive heat during the harvest. Skagit County reported that the county was drying out. Conditions were good for harvesting hay and grass seed, but other crops needed rain.
Central Washington also saw hot and dry weather, causing pasture conditions to decline. In Yakima County, there was no precipitation in the crop producing areas, which led to continued dry conditions and brush fires. Extreme heat shut down raspberry harvest, while late maturing sweet cherries, apricots, peaches, and nectarines were harvested.
Northeast Washington producers wrapped up their first cutting of alfalfa hay. Winter wheat was turning color, and spring wheat was right behind it. Cattle on grass were doing well.
East central Washington had hot weather throughout the entire week. Winter wheat harvest started to pick up. In lower elevations of Douglas County, producers took test cuts to see if wheat was ready to harvest.
Southeast Washington saw hot and dry weather conditions.
Find the full Northwest Regional Crop Progress and Condition report here.
— USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service
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