or-crop-weather Oregon Crop Weather Released: April 27, 2009 Week ending: April 26, 2009 OR-CW0409 OREGON CROP WEATHER NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE USDA, NASS, Oregon Field Office Phone: 503-326-2131 Released: April 27, 2009 Toll Free: 1-800-338-2157 Week ending: April 26, 2009 Email: nass-or@nass.usda.gov Volume: 04-09 Internet: www.nass.usda.gov/or Weather: Conditions were warmer and drier throughout the State. High temperatures ranged from 92 degrees in Medford, down to 57 degrees in North Bend. Low temperatures ranged from 39 degrees in Portland, down to 11 degrees in Christmas Valley. Only thirteen out of the forty three stations reported a measurable amount of precipitation last week. The Tillamook station reported the most with 0.21 total inches. Field Crops: Sunny weather aided grain and other row crop growth throughout much of the State last week. The dryer and warmer conditions were ideal for spring planting. Spring wheat emergence was nearing half complete, while barley emergence was slightly over half complete this past week. Grass seed crops looked good. Sherman County had some spring replanting into dry ground. Vegetables: Early corn was in the ground in Washington County. Cool weather in Douglas County continued to delay vegetable planting for warm season crops. Fruits and Nuts: Warmer temperatures early this past week aided fruit bloom and growth across most of the State. However, cool weather continued during the later part of the week. Some fruit growers in southwestern areas had to use protection to deter frost damage. Hazelnuts were sprayed again this past week. Full bloom on cherries in Wasco County came quickly with warm weather earlier in the week. Pollination conditions seemed ideal there. Unseasonably warm temperatures accelerated fruit flower bud development in Hood River County. Nurseries and Greenhouses: Greenhouses were busy with spring vegetable and ornamental starts. Nurseries were active delivering trees and shrubs to sale outlets. Nurseries were also busy covering plants most vulnerable to frost. Livestock, Range and Pasture: Warm temperatures have helped pasture growth; grass and hay were starting to turn green. Cows and calves were reportedly in good condition; however some counties indicated dry range conditions. Soil Moisture-Week Ending 04/26/09 ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Very : : : : short : Short : Adequate : Surplus ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Percent : Topsoil : 1 15 74 10 Subsoil : 6 14 71 9 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Progress-Week Ending 04/26/09 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : This : Last : Last : 5 year Crop : week : week : year : average -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Barley planted : 81 66 87 81 Barley emerged : 54 43 52 59 Spring wheat planted : 81 73 92 87 Spring wheat emerged : 41 32 65 59 : Days suitable for fieldwork : 6.6 5.3 4.6 5.6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Condition-Week Ending 04/26/09 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Very : : : : Crop : poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Winter wheat : 1 14 46 32 7 Range and pasture : 1 13 35 47 4 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Western Oregon BENTON/LANE/LINN: Grass seed crop looked good. The cool and dry weather was favorable to much of the grass seed as well as to winter wheat planted on marginally wet soils. Also, irrigation has begun with new plantings. CLATSOP: Cold and wet, with the grass not growing very well. Some producers have started cutting grass silage and green chop. There was frost the morning of April 24th. COLUMBIA: Monday, April 20th, temperatures in the lower 80's. Gardens were being tilled and the blueberries were starting to bloom. Saw one large field of blueberries being watered on Monday. The rest of the week was in the sixties. Farmer's continued to till and spray fields. Hazelnuts were being sprayed again; this was the second time in two weeks. Winter wheat was now almost a foot high. Rapeseed was in full bloom and looked to be at full height. Several of the grass fields in the area were over a foot high and had pollen heads. Cherries, pears, and apples were continuing to bloom, with some plums starting as well. COOS/CURRY: Low temperatures were 1 to 2 degrees below the 5-year average for the week in both Coos and Curry counties. High temperatures through the week were well below average in Coos but warmed over the weekend. High temperatures were near average further south in Curry County. Producers were conducting farming operations most of the week, with some haylage cut and wrapped over the weekend. Bandon (Coos & Northern Curry): Low temperature for the period was 38.43 degrees, 1.67 degrees below the 5-year average. High temperature for the period was 57.5 degrees, 7.67 degrees below the 5-year average. Precipitation for the period was 0.02 inches, compared to a 5-year (including drought in 2004 & 2005) average of 0.90 inches. Precipitation for current weather year (began 10/08) stands at 37.48 inches, 13.56 inches below the 5 year average, and 15.37 inches below the long-term historical average. Historical average precipitation through April is 52.85 inches. Brookings (Southern Curry): Low temperature for the period was 39.74 degrees, 2.22 degrees below the 5-year average. High temperature for the period was 67.27 degrees, 0.84 degrees below the 5-year average. Precipitation for the period was 0.0 inches, compared to a 5-year (including drought in 2004 & 2005) average of 1.06 inches. Precipitation for current weather year precipitation (began 10/08) stands at 63.50 inches, 10.36 inches below the 5 year average, and 1.04 inches below the long-term historical average. Historical average precipitation through April was 64.54 inches. DOUGLAS: This last week had some breezy and cool conditions with no precipitation and light frost in some areas. A dry week was welcome to get the top soil moisture to dry out a little. Fieldwork was able to get started. Producers were able to get sprays on orchards and vineyards and early season weed control is going well. Vegetable fields were getting worked and will be ready for warm season crops in another two weeks. Cool season crops were doing well. JACKSON: Warm weather near the beginning of the week helped canola. Wind machines were utilized in orchards over the weekend in the Rogue Valley as temperatures dipped to near freezing. It looked like spring grains were all planted. Grain crops were looking about normal for the time of year. Sunny days have helped with hay and grain growth, but we were about four inches behind in rain for this time of year. Without some more rainfall, hay crops will not be at normal levels. Apple and pear blossoms were about done, and pedals were starting to fall. We have had several nights near freezing, and had some frost. Almost all orchards and vineyards needed to use some protection. Vegetable gardening was getting well underway. Green houses were still very busy getting out their spring vegetable starts, with lots of ornamental starts as well. Nurseries still busy getting tree and shrubs out to their outlets. All livestock was out on good valley pastures, and looking quite good. Lots of spring babies. Some ranchers were giving shots and doing marking, getting herds ready for higher pastures as we moved into warmer weather. Pastures were doing okay for now, but if we don't get more rain soon, dry ground pastures will soon dry. This was a week of nice weather for outside work. The weather was just a bit below normal days, but nights got much too cool. Farmer's markets were up and running, and seemed to be doing okay. JOSEPHINE: Mild daytime temperatures were in the lower sixties. Night time temperatures were in the upper twenties. We had a lot of wind this last week, 15-20 mph, probably some frost damage on unprotected fruit trees. Flowering and fruiting trees are in bloom now; apple, plum, cherry, and pear. Nurseries were doing good business. MARION: This week started warm with highs into the low 80's and turned cool with highs into the low 60's by weeks end. Weather has been good for field work. However, soil was drying and irrigation was being applied in some nurseries. Nurseries were very active with many workers tending to the growing plants and covering those vulnerable to freezing on cold nights when freeze appeared possible. This spring season has been cooler than normal and many crops were experiencing slower growth or later bloom than usual. WASHINGTON: Several consecutive days of dryness and warmth have resulted in good planting conditions for spring grain crops (oats, barley, wheat) and many row crops. Fall wheat weed spraying and fertilization applied. Dry conditions had also been ideal for spot spraying herbicides in grass grown for seed fields. Seed heads had formed on crowns of Kentucky Bluegrass. Rescue applications of herbicides were being applied for control. Slug populations were traveling to the soil surface for night feeding during warm nights with presence of dew. Observations showed good growth progression in existing grass seed, clover seed, and grain crops that were planted in the fall. Leaf development was apparent in caneberries and filberts. Apples and blueberries were blooming, filberts leafed out, rhubarb will be picking soon. Early corn in the ground, weeds and grass killed for corn ground preparation. Fertilizing small shrubs and trees, bare root shipments of larger trees, and some balled and burlap ongoing. Calves including buffalo were going strong, grass was starting to support cows. Temperature high 81 degrees, low 30 degrees. Humidity 32 percent and 59 percent high. Eastern Oregon GRANT/ HARNEY: No precipitation was received during the week. Higher than normal temperatures were experienced during the first part of the week and conditions cooled considerably as the week progressed. Surface irrigation water was being spread over flood meadows with early priority dates. Dry conditions have prompted hay growers to initiate irrigation on some alfalfa fields. Range conditions were dry; surface soil moisture was being depleted rapidly. HOOD RIVER: Unseasonable warm temperatures early in the week accelerated fruit flower bud development. Temperatures and flower emergence were moderated later in the week. At week's end, crop development in the lower Hood River Valley was as follows: d'Anjou pear at full bloom (WSU stage 7); Red Delicious apple at first pink (WSU stage 5); Bing at full bloom (WSU stage 8); Pinot noir grape at Eichhorn-Lorenz stages 3 to 5. KLAMATH: Warm temperatures during the beginning of the week with cooler temperatures towards the end. Spring preparation work continued as did limited irrigation. Grass and hay were turning green. LAKE: There was no precipitation during the week. Storms were forecast for the end of the week and over the weekend, but did not develop. MALHEUR: High temperatures through Wednesday. It was 15 to 20 degrees above normal at 80 to 85. High temperatures latter in the week were 10 to 15 degrees below normal at 55 to 60. Frost or near frost during the latter part of week. Irrigating or getting irrigation started was main activity. Some planting was going on, very dry with no rain. MORROW: Good weather, windy weekend. SHERMAN: Surprising amount of spring re-planting will help clean up some weed problems but ground was awfully dry. Warm weather and some carry over moisture from showers two weeks ago have sped up spring emergence very well. Warm temperatures have helped the range growth as well. UNION: Unseasonably warm day and night temperatures this week were brought to a halt Thursday with highs in the 40s and lows in the upper 20s. WALLOWA: Spring wheat planting was now underway. Still getting some moisture but temperatures were somewhat cool. WASCO: With the warm weather earlier in the week, full bloom on cherries came quickly. Pollination weather seemed to be near ideal with calm, moderately warm conditions. So far there has been little to no frost to affect fruit set. Weather data for selected stations in Oregon, Week ending: April 26, 2009 (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 : 35 67 49 +1 9 +2 0.10 -0.84 3 51.72 -6.55 89 130 Bandon 8/ : 38 58 47 -3 3 -11 0.02 -0.84 2 37.76 -15.33 71 146 Crescent City : 37 59 48 -3 4 -23 - -0.87 - 43.91 -15.52 74 99 Florence : 28 64 46 -4 3 -11 0.10 -0.97 1 57.77 -10.10 85 119 North Bend : 34 57 48 -3 2 -12 0.02 -0.90 1 40.86 -16.35 71 117 Tillamook : 32 64 49 +0 7 +0 0.21 -1.01 3 38.11 -39.23 49 128 WILLAMETTE : VALLEY : Aurora 8/ : 33 83 53 +3 31 +10 - -0.57 - 26.47 -8.93 75 120 Corvallis : 32 79 50 +0 26 +6 0.02 -0.49 1 22.55 -15.50 59 132 Detroit Lake 8/ : 32 84 51 +6 29 +22 0.12 -0.77 2 69.10 9.44 116 133 Eugene : 32 77 50 -2 21 -1 - -0.61 - 21.71 -22.38 49 103 Hillsboro : 30 81 51 +0 26 +5 0.07 -0.35 2 18.04 -14.85 55 102 McMinnville : 29 80 51 -1 24 +3 0.03 -0.46 1 15.16 -23.83 39 97 Portland : 39 83 55 +3 37 +11 0.07 -0.42 3 19.91 -10.99 64 120 Salem : 32 81 52 +3 30 +12 0.01 -0.48 1 21.60 -12.91 63 104 SW VALLEYS : Grants Pass : 34 91 58 +5 62 +23 - -0.35 - 17.86 -10.74 62 89 Medford : 33 92 58 +6 60 +27 - -0.24 - 10.09 -6.37 61 73 Roseburg : 36 86 55 +3 47 +16 0.01 -0.44 1 20.48 -8.77 70 100 NORTH CENTRAL : Condon : 24 82 52 +6 41 +34 - -0.28 - 8.71 -1.81 83 74 Echo 8/ : 27 86 54 +1 41 +7 - -0.14 - 6.05 -1.13 84 75 Heppner : 28 83 53 +4 40 +19 - -0.28 - 8.32 -2.04 80 74 Hermiston : 22 85 54 +1 40 +6 - -0.14 - 4.69 -2.49 65 60 Madras 8/ : 22 84 49 +0 31 +10 - -0.14 - 4.82 -3.02 61 62 Moro : 26 80 52 +6 37 +23 - -0.14 - 8.24 -0.69 92 66 Parkdale 8/ : 27 82 49 -2 21 -1 - -0.33 - 32.86 4.52 116 103 Pendleton : 29 83 54 +3 40 +12 - -0.21 - 9.45 0.02 100 72 Prairie City 8/ : 22 84 49 +0 31 +10 - -0.14 - 4.82 -3.02 61 62 The Dalles : 33 87 56 +8 48 +31 - -0.14 - 10.86 0.45 104 83 SOUTH CENTRAL : Agency Lake 8/ : 23 79 47 +4 18 +11 - -0.18 - 9.70 -3.53 73 63 Bend : 21 84 48 +3 26 +14 - -0.14 - 4.73 -4.24 53 36 Burns : 20 83 48 +4 27 +20 - -0.14 - 5.18 -1.83 74 61 Christmas Valley 8/ : 11 84 44 -3 20 +6 - -0.14 - 4.20 -5.02 46 66 Klamath Falls : 20 82 49 +3 27 +13 - -0.14 - 5.84 -5.12 53 56 Klamath Falls 8/ : 20 82 50 +4 33 +19 - -0.14 - 6.83 -4.13 62 74 Lakeview : 18 79 46 +2 18 +11 0.01 -0.27 1 5.35 -6.68 44 73 Lorella 8/ : 18 82 48 +2 16 +2 - -0.14 - 4.80 -6.16 44 55 Redmond : 17 84 46 +1 18 +5 - -0.14 - 3.66 -2.41 60 49 Worden 8/ : 22 81 49 +4 25 +11 - -0.14 - 4.29 -6.67 39 63 NORTHEAST : Baker City : 17 84 46 -1 19 +5 - -0.21 - 5.02 -1.58 76 79 Joseph : 26 75 49 +7 27 +24 - -0.42 - 11.12 -7.85 59 81 La Grande : 23 81 49 +1 25 +10 - -0.35 - 7.72 -5.02 61 60 Union : 24 81 51 +4 35 +21 - -0.28 - 9.60 0.77 109 76 SOUTHEAST : Ontario : 32 86 57 +4 49 +11 - -0.14 - 5.82 -1.71 77 47 Rome : 21 86 52 +4 40 +19 - -0.18 - 3.88 -1.47 73 50 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Summary based on NWS data. Copyright 2009: 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.