Northwest Region Crop Progress and Condition for September 24, 2023

OLYMPIA, Wash. — USDA NASS released its Northwest Region Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending September 24, 2023.

Cooler Temperatures Across Idaho
There were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork in Idaho, down from 6.9 days reported the previous week. Temperatures were cooler than average throughout most of Idaho. Jerome and Twin Falls Counties experienced rain over the week, which halted potato, sugarbeet, and bean harvest. Corn silage continued to be harvested. Elmore and Owyhee Counties noted corn ears had filled less than usual, and the stunted corn development was likely due to cool spring temperatures.

Some Rain, Cooler Temperatures in Oregon
There were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork in Oregon, down from 7.0 days reported the previous week. Temperatures were cooler than normal this week, and some rain was reported in parts of the state. Polk County was still dry, with cool temperatures at night and heat in the afternoon. In Clatsop and Tillamook Counties, it was also cooler with not much precipitation. The rains were in the morning hours. Fields were hayed, and harvest of corn and forage was in full swing. In Gilliam, Hood River, Wasco, and Wheeler Counties, there was some rain. Some farmers started to plant while others were waiting for more rain. In Umatilla County, light rain fell in the area. In Malheur County, harvest continued for onions, corn, dry beans, and potatoes. Some growers started early fall hay cutting, and fall fieldwork continued with good weather conditions for operations. Ranchers were gathering cattle and weaning calves.

Overcast Conditions in Washington
There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 6.9 reported the previous week. Western
Washington conditions remained dry. Livestock producers were already using stored winter feed. Feed corn was short this year in some western Washington counties, and some fields dried up earlier than normal. Central Washington had dry conditions, but the mornings were cooler. Tractors were in the field preparing seedbeds and seeding winter grains. Cattle were on crop residue and being supplemented as there was no pasture left. In Yakima County, nighttime lows dipped into the upper 30s. Apple harvest continued with operations focusing on Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and mid-season varieties. Apple bins were going out in the Red Delicious and Fuji apple orchards. Hop harvest continued. Vegetable stands were filled with plenty of melons, peppers, tomatoes, sweet corn, and squash. Field crews pulled up drip irrigation and black plastic from spent fields. Harvest was well wrapped up in northeast Washington, and fall planting began. Ranchers started to haul cows back to the ranch and put them on feed as pasture condition was dwindling. Southeast Washington experienced scattered showers.

— USDA NASS