OLYMPIA, Wash. — There were 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, the same as reported the previous two weeks, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Northwest Regional Field Office in the Aug. 31 Crop Progress and Condition report.
In western Washington, favorable weather was reported. Hay was baled and grain was harvested. Most fields appeared to have adequate moisture. Crops planted after early June looked good. Most of the moisture from the rain event last week was gone from the topsoil. Berry crop harvest wrapped up across western Washington. Some blueberries remained. Early apples were harvested. Plums and pears were close behind. Ponds used for irrigation continued to drop as water was used. Livestock were still on pasture, but some farms supplemented with feed.
In central Washington, Yakima County experienced beautiful summer weather. Highs in the upper 80s and nighttime lows in the 50s were observed. Peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, summer squashes, sweet corn, and winter squashes were harvested. The harvest of early ripening apple varieties continued with Gala and Golden Delicious varieties. Hop cones dried nicely as the harvest started with a bang this weekend.
In northeast Washington, evening temperatures started to cool off. It was dry and some fires were reported in the area. East central Washington and southeast Washington reported normal crop progress. The grain harvest continued with winter wheat looking to wrap up soon.
— USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service
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