or-crop-weather Oregon Crop Weather Released: November 24, 2008 Week ending: November 23, 2008 OR-CW1405 OREGON CROP WEATHER NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE USDA, NASS, Oregon Field Office Phone: 503-326-2131 Released: November 24, 2008 Toll Free: 1-800-338-2157 Week ending: cweek@, @year_cwk@ Email: nass-or@nass.usda.gov Volume: 34-08 Internet: www.nass.usda.gov/or Weather: With the exception of some rain mid-week, conditions were generally drier and cool last week throughout the State. However, rainfall from the previous week along with foggy conditions kept soils moist in the Valley, while soils in many eastern counties were depleted of moisture. High temperatures ranged from 75 degrees in Redmond, down to 54 degrees in Ontario. Low temperatures ranged from 38 degrees in Roseburg and Crescent City, down to 9 degrees in Christmas Valley. Only two out of the forty-three stations reporting did not receive a measurable amount of precipitation last week. The Detroit Lake and Florence stations reported the most with 1.09 and 1.04 total inches, respectively. Despite freezing or near freezing temperatures, conditions were warmer than normal for the second straight week throughout much of the State, while precipitation levels were below average. Field Crops: Most field work activities have concluded throughout the State. The cool and moist conditions in Jackson County have proven favorable, as fall grain crops were beginning to show growth. Cover crops and fall seeded crops in Douglas County looked good. Grains in Washington County were also up and growing well. However, there were reports of goose depredation on wheat fields. A lack of sufficient moisture in Gilliam County has not allowed for wheat seed germination in some fields, while grains in Wasco County were beginning to show slight improvements. Statewide, winter wheat emergence was at 69 percent last week. Vegetables: In Jackson County, some late fall vegetables were harvested and the few remaining open farmers markets had their last sales. Reports from Clackamas County indicate that winter fresh market cabbage orders are well below normal. Other than continuing with winter preparations, all vegetable field activities have concluded for the season. Fruits and Nuts: Wineries were busy making wine in Jackson County. Fruit and nut producers began pruning trees and vines in Washington and Malheur counties. All harvesting activities concluded several weeks ago and producers continued preparing for winter. Nurseries and Greenhouses: The rains from earlier in the month have improved Christmas tree condition in Douglas County. Tree harvest and u-cut activities were in full swing last week throughout the Willamette Valley, although wet fields have made for messy conditions. Greenhouses growing holiday plants were busy with sales. Other greenhouses were busy setting new plants, rotating pots, trimming evergreens, and other maintenance activities. Nursery sales have reportedly been slow in Clackamas and Douglas counties as nurserymen continued with cold weather preparations. Livestock, Range and Pasture: In the western portion of the State, pastures continued to improve with sufficient moisture and warm day time temperatures. Cattle in Jackson County were being moved to winter pastures, and most operators have sorted and sold calves ready for backgrounding. In eastern Oregon, pastures in Wasco County showed slow improvements, while rangelands in Harney County have been marginal due to drought conditions. This has forced producers to move cattle off the range and begin supplemental feeding. Overall, livestock continued to look good. Soil Moisture-Week Ending 11/23/08 ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Very : : : : short : Short : Adequate : Surplus ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Percent : Topsoil : 11 13 60 16 Subsoil : 15 20 57 8 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Progress-Week Ending 11/23/08 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : This : Last : Last : 5 year Crop : week : week : year : average -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Winter wheat emerged : 69 55 90 87 : Days suitable for fieldwork : 5.2 4.4 5.2 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Condition-Week Ending 11/23/08 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Very : : : : Crop : poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Winter wheat : 1 23 34 35 7 Range and pasture : 12 21 40 25 2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WESTERN OREGON BENTON/LINN/LANE: Good temperatures and moisture have provided good growth for pasturelands. It's time to put the plow and planter away. CLACKAMAS: We have had nice weather for mid-November; mostly fair to sunny days with only one rainy day mid-week. Not such good news on the business side. Nursery sales have been very slow. Winter fresh market cabbage orders are only about 10 percent of normal. The Christmas tree harvest is about at normal volume but prices are said to be "dismal". On the plus side, fuel and fertilizer prices are down dramatically for anyone with some positive cash flow. COOS/CURRY: Low temperatures were slightly above the 5-year average for the week in Curry and slightly below average in Coos County. High temperatures were between 5 and 7 degrees above the 5-year average for the week. Producers were completing their preparations for the coming wet winter weather. Bandon (Coos & Northern Curry): The low temperature for the period was 35.2 degrees, 2 degrees below the 5-year average. The high temperature for the period was 69.26 degrees, 5.14 degrees above the 5-year average. Precipitation for the period was 0.53 inches, compared to a 5-year (including drought years 2003- 2004) average of 2.19 inches. Precipitation for Current weather year precipitation (began 10/08) stands at 7.37 inches, 2.93 inches below the 5 year average. Historical average precipitation through November is 13.44 inches. Brookings (Southern Curry): The low temperature for the period was 43.94 degrees, 3.54 degrees above the 5-year average. The high temperature for the period was 70.1 degrees, 6.17 degrees above the 5-year average. Precipitation for the period was 0.53 inches, compared to a 5-year (including drought years 2003-2004) average of 2.14 inches. Precipitation for Current weather year precipitation (began 10/08) stands at 16.89 inches, 1.97 inches above the 5 year average. Historical average precipitation for Brookings area through November is 15.8 inches. DOUGLAS: Fall rains continued to recharge extremely dry soils. We have had about 6 inches of rain in November. Agricultural activity has come to a halt with most soils too wet to plant or work. Cover crops and fall seeded crops were starting to look good. The Christmas tree harvest was going well with recent rains putting trees in good shape, although field conditions were a little messy for cutting and bundling trees. Fall nursery digging is pretty slow this year with demand from retailers a little soft. JACKSON: It has been a cool and somewhat wet week, so not much field work. There are still plenty of other tasks in preparation for colder weather. Night time temperatures were near freezing, and days were in the high 40's. Fall grain crops were starting to show growth. The rains we had have been a good help. Harvest is over. Packing houses are now very busy. Wineries are also very busy with their wine making. Only some late fall vegetables were being harvested. Local open farmers markets had their last sales, and stopped for the season. Greenhouses that grow holiday plants were busy getting out their products. Others are now in maintenance work. Nurseries were getting ready for cold weather, still some trees and shrubs sales. Most cattle operators have sorted and sold calves ready for backgrounding. Cattle were being put on winter pasture feeding areas. JOSEPHINE: The area received about 0.25 inches of rain last week, with daytime temperatures from 50 to 60 degrees and night time temperatures dropping to 40 degrees. There were some days with fog early a.m., but burning off by around 2 p.m. It was nice working weather, and there were a lot of people burning debris. Truck gardens are closed or nearly so. They have disked most of their fields and continue with spring preparations. MARION: Last week was less rainy than the previous week with some rain showers on Wednesday. Otherwise, the days were dry with fog in the morning. The Christmas tree harvest continued full tilt with some indicators that the economy may be causing people to stay closer to home and concentrate their holiday season around home and family. This may prove to be positive for Christmas tree sales. Field work was pretty much done for the winter. WASHINGTON: The high temperature was 53.6 degrees and the low was 31.9 degrees. Humidity ranged from 91 percent to 69 percent. Grains were up and growing well. Grass seed and small grains had a herbicide treatment last week. Goose depredation was not good for wheat. Operators were pruning nut orchards and trailing blackberries. Nurseries were setting new plants, rotating pots, and trimming evergreens. Christmas tree cutting was underway for u-cuts. Livestock were looking good. EASTERN OREGON GILLIAM: The area experienced below freezing temperatures the past four days. Continued dry conditions have left fields with ungerminated wheat seed. HARNEY: The week began with warmer temperatures that trended back to near normal by week's end. Trace amounts of precipitation were received during the week. Winter range in the south end of the County has been marginal this year due to cumulative effects of severe drought conditions over the past two years. Most cattle are off the range in other parts of the County. Some calves have been shipped and supplemental feeding of some cows has begun. LAKE: The area received a small amount of precipitation during the week. MALHEUR: Tree fruit and nut orchards are in dormant season pruning. SHERMAN: We are hoping for some good things to give thanks for this week; moisture, markets, and healthy living. UNION: The area received a little moisture last week along with high winds. WASCO: Farming activities have come to a close. Farmers were making plans for Thanksgiving. Winterizing farm equipment was the main activity. Cattle and calves continued to be moved to winter pastures. The October and November rains are slowly improving pastures and fall planted grains. Hay supplies continue to be adequate. Weather data for selected stations in Oregon, Week ending: November 23, 2008 (as of 11:00 am) 1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : : Growing : Last week precip. 4/ : Season cum. precipitation 5/ : Air temperature 2/ : degree days 3/ :-------------------------------------------------------------- Station :-------------------------------:-----------------: Total : : : Total : : Pct. : : Low : High : Avg. :DFN 6/ : Total :DFN 6/ : inches :DFN 6/ :Days 7/: inches :DFN 6/ : normal :Days 7/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ COASTAL AREAS : Astoria/Clatsop : 37 60 48 +3 5 -2 0.67 -1.83 3 15.04 -1.42 91 38 Bandon 8/ : 35 69 51 +2 14 +0 0.53 -1.83 4 7.65 -5.37 59 40 Crescent City : 38 66 52 +2 17 +3 0.58 -2.08 2 9.37 -5.52 63 31 Florence : 37 70 50 +3 15 +8 1.04 -1.84 3 17.22 -0.10 99 32 North Bend : 34 70 51 +2 16 +2 0.60 -1.99 3 9.14 -5.23 64 29 Tillamook : 32 70 49 +4 11 +4 0.77 -2.50 4 7.86 -13.19 37 39 WILLAMETTE : VALLEY : Aurora 8/ : 30 56 44 +0 - -5 0.53 -1.03 3 6.63 -3.12 68 30 Corvallis : 34 62 47 +4 2 -3 0.41 -1.32 4 6.21 -3.66 63 36 Detroit Lake 8/ : 30 62 44 +8 1 +1 1.09 -1.60 3 17.52 2.13 114 34 Eugene : 30 70 47 +3 6 -1 0.52 -1.59 2 5.92 -5.61 51 27 Hillsboro : 32 56 44 +1 - -2 0.51 -0.94 3 6.14 -2.60 70 31 McMinnville : 34 55 44 +1 - -6 0.41 -1.29 4 6.20 -3.79 62 33 Portland : 35 59 47 +3 - -7 0.39 -0.97 3 6.33 -2.18 74 32 Salem : 33 58 45 +3 - -4 0.49 -1.10 2 4.92 -4.47 52 29 SW VALLEYS : Grants Pass : 37 62 47 +3 3 +3 0.26 -1.07 3 4.16 -3.28 56 24 Medford : 33 58 45 +3 - +0 0.14 -0.69 2 2.67 -2.17 55 19 Roseburg : 38 67 50 +5 9 +7 0.42 -1.02 2 5.06 -2.86 64 24 NORTH CENTRAL : Condon : 23 68 42 +8 3 +3 0.05 -0.44 2 1.44 -1.75 45 18 Echo 8/ : 22 57 41 +2 - -6 0.04 -0.31 1 0.99 -1.04 49 12 Heppner : 28 63 44 +5 - -5 0.10 -0.32 2 1.52 -1.67 48 21 Hermiston : 20 56 40 +1 - -6 0.04 -0.31 1 0.94 -1.09 46 14 Madras 8/ : 20 58 40 +2 - +0 0.03 -0.35 1 1.01 -1.37 42 16 Moro : 22 67 42 +6 - +0 0.11 -0.31 2 1.62 -0.95 63 15 Parkdale 8/ : 25 59 41 +1 - -7 0.59 -0.72 3 7.02 -0.24 97 26 Pendleton : 26 57 42 +3 - -6 0.06 -0.35 1 1.61 -1.05 61 16 Prairie City 8/ : 20 58 40 +2 - +0 0.03 -0.35 1 1.01 -1.37 42 16 The Dalles : 29 63 44 +7 - +0 0.16 -0.28 2 2.56 -0.12 96 20 SOUTH CENTRAL : Agency Lake 8/ : 20 57 36 +2 - +0 0.02 -0.54 1 2.74 -1.04 72 15 Bend : 19 69 42 +7 7 +7 - -0.42 - 0.82 -1.49 35 7 Burns : 13 61 36 +5 - +0 0.02 -0.31 1 1.55 -0.72 68 13 Christmas Valley 8/ : 9 68 36 -1 - +0 0.02 -0.40 1 1.14 -1.69 40 17 Klamath Falls : 19 65 38 +4 - +0 0.02 -0.47 1 1.59 -1.55 51 15 Klamath Falls 8/ : 19 66 38 +4 - +0 0.01 -0.48 1 1.54 -1.60 49 15 Lakeview : 18 66 38 +4 - +0 0.03 -0.48 2 1.42 -2.04 41 18 Lorella 8/ : 17 72 39 +5 - +0 0.08 -0.41 1 1.34 -1.80 43 11 Redmond : 12 75 42 +7 7 +7 0.02 -0.26 1 1.51 -0.34 82 12 Worden 8/ : 20 65 38 +4 - +0 0.01 -0.48 1 1.16 -1.98 37 13 NORTHEAST : Baker City : 13 56 36 +4 - +0 0.01 -0.20 1 2.05 -0.01 100 28 Joseph : 18 57 38 +8 - +0 0.05 -0.66 1 2.60 -2.86 48 20 La Grande : 16 61 43 +7 6 +6 0.06 -0.43 1 1.93 -1.90 50 19 Union : 20 61 42 +5 - +0 0.08 -0.27 1 2.78 -0.30 90 24 SOUTHEAST : Ontario : 21 54 37 +0 - +0 0.01 -0.34 1 2.42 0.30 114 13 Rome : 16 65 38 +3 - +0 - -0.21 - 1.52 -0.28 84 15 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Summary based on NWS data. Copyright 2008: AWIS, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2/ Air temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. 3/ Growing degree days base-50 degrees Fahrenheit. 4/ Precipitation (rain or melted snow/ice) in inches. 5/ Season cumulative precipitation starts September 1, 2008. 6/ DFN=Departure from normal (using 1961-1990 normals period). 7/ Precipitation days = Days with precipitation of 0.01 inch or more. 8/ Agri-Met weather stations.