OLYMPIA, Wash. — USDA NASS released its Northwest Region Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending October 1, 2023.
Idaho Producers Busy With Silage Harvest
There were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork in Idaho, down from 5.6 days reported the previous week. Western and central Idaho were cooler for the week with slightly warmer than normal temperatures in eastern Idaho. Jerome and Twin Falls Counties experienced rain late in the week which halted field activity and created potential damage to alfalfa hay and beans in the windrow. The main sugarbeet dig was expected to begin once fields dried out enough for access. Silage crews were observed harvesting nearly around the clock. Many acres of beans still needed to be cut and windrowed. The fifth cutting of alfalfa hay began to be harvested over the week. Irrigation water was anticipated to only be available for the next few weeks.
Winter Wheat Dusted Into Dry Fields in Oregon
There were 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork in Oregon, down from 6.1 days reported the previous week. Temperatures were cooler last week with rain in parts of the State. In Polk County, rain was reported but not enough to improve the soil profile. In Columbia, Multnomah, and Washington Counties, rainfall helped newly seeded grass seed, winter grain, and hay fields. Horticultural crops were winding down. Clatsop and Tillamook Counties reported rain with corn harvested as fast as possible to get it out of the rain. In Gilliam, Hood River, and Wasco Counties, farmers were still waiting to plant winter wheat. Due to dry pasture conditions, farmers bought extra feed for livestock. Umatilla County observed wheat planting in many fields. However, the warm winds were drying up the seed zone water and farmers were dusting in winter wheat.
Growers Harvested Around Wet Conditions in Washington
There were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 6.6 days reported the previous week. In western Washington, drought conditions escalated to a D3 status for King and Pierce Counties. Shellfish farmers had to cancel going out on the bay several days in a row because the tide would not drop due to wind and rain. Grain and corn silage harvest concluded in several counties. Cover crops and new seedlings were planted. Central Washington received a soaking rain. Producers tried to complete fall planting. Cattle were still coming down from the mountains and grazing on residue with supplemental feed. In Yakima County, apple harvest continued with about half of the apple crop completed. Grape harvest started in Yakima Valley, but growers held off for better size and fruit sweetness. Winter squash and sweet corn were still being harvested. Tomato and pepper fields were being harvested, but crop maturity slowed down considerably over the past week. Northeast Washington had five days of rainfall. Ranchers prepared to bring cattle back from summer pastures to put on hay because pasture was mostly in poor condition. Fall plantings were well underway. East central Washington farmers were seeding or reseeding winter wheat compromised by the rain or dry conditions. Precipitation from last week was enough to maintain soil moisture conditions. Winter wheat seeding was nearly complete. Southeast Washington saw cooler temperatures and scattered rainfall.
— USDA NASS
