or-crop-weather Oregon Crop Weather Released: June 1, 2009 Week ending: May 31, 2009 OR-CW0909 OREGON CROP WEATHER NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE USDA, NASS, Oregon Field Office Phone: 503-326-2131 Released: June 1, 2009 Toll Free: 1-800-338-2157 Week ending: May 31, 2009 Email: nass-or@nass.usda.gov Volume: 09-09 Internet: www.nass.usda.gov/or Weather: Warm dry conditions were experienced throughout the State, with thunderstorms accounting for most of the precipitation reported. High temperatures ranged from 96 degrees in the southwest valleys and north central areas, down to 59 degrees in Crescent City. Low temperatures ranged from 52 degrees in The Dalles to 34 degrees in many different locations throughout the State. Twenty three of the forty three stations reported a measurable amount of precipitation last week. The Burns station reported the most with 1.07 total inches. Field Crops: Ideal haying conditions continued this past week across most of the State as growers continued to cut grass and alfalfa hay. Some hay was rained on in south western areas. Grass seed fields were headed up and getting ready for pollination. Red clover was cut for silage. Weekend temperatures were good for crop growth, but a good rain will help boost development. Clover mites in central areas were at the end of their season. Some heat stress on dry land small grains. Vegetables: Early vegetables were being harvested in several counties. Sweet corn and cannery crop green beans were planted. Vegetable crop growth was good with the increased heat. A lot of weeding in Jackson County. Lettuce, asparagus, and artichokes were looking good in Josephine County. The McMinnville Farmers Market opened in Yamhill County with lots of lettuce, radishes, asparagus and zucchini. Fruits and Nuts: Fruit reported to be in good condition across the State. Warmer than average temperatures in Hood River accelerated crops and their disease development. Fruit drop on Anjou and other winter pears in the lower Valley. Ideal weather for Wasco County cherries continued. Grapes in southern Oregon made good vegetative growth. Strawberries were at farmer's markets in Washington and Yamhill counties. Nurseries and Greenhouses: Producers remained busy with spraying and weed control activities. Irrigation continued for nursery crops. Livestock, Range and Pasture: Livestock across the State continued to do well; early spring calves were reportedly looking good and some spring lambs were weaned and sent to back-grounding pastures. Cattle were reported to be moved to higher ranges and irrigated valley pastures. Dry ground pastures were reportedly low on forage. Pastures in the western part of the State could benefit from rain. In south central Oregon moisture improved pasture conditions for livestock. Malhuer County reported that some producers were already hauling water to livestock. Soil Moisture-Week Ending 05/31/09 ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Very : : : : short : Short : Adequate : Surplus ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Percent : Topsoil : 4 28 66 2 Subsoil : 7 17 71 5 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Progress-Week Ending 05/31/09 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : This : Last : Last : 5 year Crop : week : week : year : average -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Alfalfa hay, first cutting : 56 13 32 24 Winter wheat headed : 47 17 55 66 : Days suitable for fieldwork : 6.7 7.0 5.5 5.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Condition-Week Ending 05/31/09 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Very : : : : Crop : poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Winter wheat : 2 18 33 42 5 Spring wheat : 0 16 32 45 7 Barley : 0 7 40 44 9 Corn : 0 8 21 54 17 Range and pasture : 1 10 25 52 12 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Western Oregon BENTON/LINN/LANE: Douglas firs at the lower elevations were breaking buds and in some cases extension had already started. The rains from the first part of May have saturated the soil. As a result, good spring growth of the trees is expected. Grass seed fields were headed up and getting ready for pollination. The berry crops were setting and there will be strawberries soon. The local produce growers have been very busy with harvesting the early vegetables and getting the summer crops planted. CLACKAMAS: One full week of warm dry weather. No rain, warm days but somewhat cool at night. Lots of excellent quality pre-bloom grass hay was made. Cannery crop green beans and sweet corn planting were underway. Red clover was being chopped for silage and with this weather some was baled as hay. CLATSOP/TILLAMOOK: Tillamook, warmer first part of the week with cooler marine air over the weekend. Grass silage continues to be harvested. Little or no rain the past several weeks. Grass pastures could use a bit of rain. COLUMBIA: This week there were several days of unseasonably warm weather. Irrigation had begun in corn and berries. Marionberries have begun to bloom and alfalfa has begun to be baled up. Several other varieties of native grass have been cut this last week. Farmers were still plowing and planting field corn. Rapeseed is going to seed now and the red clover is almost finished blooming in some fields. COOS/CURRY: Low temperatures were 2 to 4 degrees below the 5-year average for the week in both Coos and Curry counties. High temperatures through the week were 2 degrees below average for the week in Coos and slightly below the 5- year average in southern Curry. Only a trace of precipitation on Sunday. Producers were taking advantage of the weather for farming operations, including silage and haying. The winds were still present in the afternoons, but not as strong as the previous week. Bandon (Coos & Northern Curry): Low temperature for the period was 42.52 degrees, 4.09 degrees below the 5-year average. High temperature for the period was 62.1 degrees, 2.24 degrees below the 5-year average. Precipitation for the period was 0.01 inches, compared to a 5-year (including drought in 2004 & 2005) average of 0.47 inches. Precipitation for current weather year precipitation (began 10/08) stands at 40.18 inches, 13.6 inches below the 5 year average, and 15.8 inches below the long-term historical average. Historical average precipitation through May is 55.79 inches. Brookings (Southern Curry): Low temperature for the period was 45.14 degrees, 2.38 degrees below the 5-year average. High temperature for the period was 71.7 degrees, 0.48 degrees below the 5-year average. Precipitation for the period was 0.01 inches, compared to a 5-year (including drought in 2004 & 2005) average of 0.43 inches. Precipitation for Current weather year precipitation (began 10/08) stands at 69.98 inches, 7.18 inches below the 5 year average, and 0.83 inches below the long-term historical average. Historical average precipitation through May is 70.81 inches. DOUGLAS: Temperatures this past week were above normal, but dry. Warm dry pattern continued. Hay crops around the County were being cut at a fast pace as forage matures in a dry period which should make high quality hay. Orchard crops looked very good. Nearly all tree fruit set well. A little light for plums. Berry crops also looked very good. Most of the tree fruit and berry crops were about 10-14 days later than normal ripening schedules. The wine grape crop looked nice so far. Early growth is uniform and bloom is about two weeks away. If it stays warm and dry, a good fruit set should occur. Vegetable crop seeding went well and growth is kicking in now with current heat building up. JACKSON: Most field crops were planted, but there may still be some field corn that might be planted for silage. Lots of hay being cut and some made. We have had scattered heavy thunder storms, some with lots of rain, so some hay that's down has been rained on. Orchards were looking good and green, but haven't had any word on crop forecast. Vineyards were looking greener as the new shoots come out. Some planting of vegetables and lots of weeding being done. Fields that got a good rain, now a bit too wet. Still lots of vegetable starts and lots of ornamentals at outlets. Nursery's are working with lots of flowering potted plants. Still some cattle on valley dry ground pastures and some still have forage, but it is about gone. Cattle were being moved to higher ranges, or to irrigated valley pastures. Early spring calves looked quite good. Spring lambs also sizing up, and some being weaned and sent to back-grounding pastures. A good week for crop growth. Early week had warm days and fair nights. The week started with thunder storms some with quite heavy rain. What field work was done this week was mostly haying, weeding, and some planting. JOSEPHINE: Temperatures last week daytime were in the upper 80's and 90's with nightime temperatures in the 30's and 40's. Gardens had ground prepared and planted in most areas. Planting delayed in some areas due to frost warnings. We are later this year due to the heavy rain the first of the month. Grapes loved the weather. Strawberries should be available next week. Lettuce, asparagus, and artichokes were looking good. Good pollination for apples and fruit set. Haying was going on. Yields look good. MARION: The weather was heating up and crops were growing quite well. Warm and clear weather all week. Grain and grass seed started to bloom. Red clover was getting cut for hay/silage. Meadow foam and crimson clover were almost finished blooming. WASHINGTON: Winter wheat headed out and looked good. Rust in some varieties and areas. Irrigated grass for seed and haying quality grass hay; cutting alfalfa, making silage from red clover and some alfalfa. Some strawberries were being picked and at stands. Nuts fully leafed. Early sweet corn required around 40 percent replant caused by excessive rains and cold soils. Potted plants for gardens were plentiful with large tomatoes in containers. Grass shot up with hot days and warm nights and adequate moisture. Cattle were looking good. High temperature of 84 degrees with a low temperature of 37.8 to 47 degrees. Low humidity. YAMHILL: Haying of grass continued through the week as did alfalfa. Red clover silage got started this week. The McMinnville Farmers Market opened this week with lots of lettuce, radishes, strawberries, asparagus, zucchini, and promises of more to come. Caneberries were in bloom around the area. Grapes were said to be about a week behind schedule. Cherries reported some loss conditions due to heavy rains and hail storms stripping the blooms off but the reports were spotty. The rest of the County looks to have a good crop of cherries ready by the middle of June. All strawberry producers were harvesting this week. Grass seed looked to be on schedule with pollination within the next week to 10 days. Consistently warm weather has advanced fruit development. Some spraying for codling moth in apples and pears. Eastern Oregon CROOK/DESCHUTES/JEFFERSON: Clover mites seemed to be on their end of the season downward spiral in grass pastures and hay fields. Very few clover mites could be found in four different fields that showed damage this last week. Alfalfa in lower elevations was in late vegetative to early bud this last week. Orchard grass has been heading out. There could be some hay cut next week if end of the week weather forecast looks like rain. Grapes were flowering. GILLIAM: Scattered thunderstorms dumped significant amounts of rain in isolated areas around Condon. Overall, winter wheat was hit hard by Friday- Sunday temperatures in the upper 80's. Shallow areas with damaged wheat were quickly expanding. A lot of the fall wheat now has the bluish cast with curled flag leaves. HOOD RIVER: Warmer than average temperatures accelerated crop development and pest and disease degree day accumulation. Significant fruit drop occurred on Anjou and other winter pears in the lower valley, likely in response to marginal pollination conditions during bloom and very warm temperatures. Hand thinning of summer pears began in the lower Hood River Valley. Pinot noir grape was at Eichhorn-Lorenz stages 12 through 15. JEFFERSON: Growing conditions have been excellent for grass and vegetable seed crops. KLAMATH: Temperatures in the mid 70's to mid 80's during the past week with favorable night time temperatures. Limited precipitation during the week. Irrigation continued, most crops planted and some row crops continued to emerge. LAKE: Received significant amount of precipitation over the weekend with thunderstorms during the latter part of the week and over the weekend. Moisture had improved pasture conditions in many portions of the County. Irrigation season was in full swing both flood and sprinkler. MALHEUR: First half of week was near normal with slightly higher than normal average temperatures. Last half the high temperatures shot into the low 90's, 15 degrees above normal. Scattered thunder showers in the evenings. Irrigating, spraying, and cultivating continued. Alfalfa hay harvest was going strong. Reports of the southern part of the County was being very low on water. Producers already had to haul water for livestock. Vale irrigation district is reportedly very low on water this year. Reports for producers that water will be shut off late July. MORROW: Very warm temperatures this week. SHERMAN: The spring seeded crops were going to need a good shot of rain if they were to make a decent crop. Most of the spring seeded barley and the later seeded spring wheat was very small. The latest warmer weather may hurt as the low spots and poorer soils are bluing somewhat. Weekend heat spells over Memorial Day (observed) and Memorial Day (for real) impacted crop. First weekend really shot out the grain heading, second weekend may have caused development damage to kernels. Total precipitation about 15% below long term average. UMATILLA: Heat has wheat in drier areas showing some stress. Monitoring a few areas showing insect pressure. WALLOWA: Good weather this past week for planting as well as growing. Moisture was good in all parts of the county. WASCO: Ideal weather conditions continue for the sweet cherry crop in Wasco County. Most orchards in Wasco County had close to an ideal fruit set that will help to optimize both crop and fruit size. Early concerns relating to overset conditions for the most part have not materialized. There were a few orchards that were slightly overset, but probably no more than those that were slightly under-set. Weather data for selected stations in Oregon, Week ending: May 31, 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 : 41 75 56 +3 45 +16 0.07 -0.56 1 57.70 -4.08 93 144 Bandon 8/ : 43 64 53 -2 21 -4 0.01 -0.51 1 40.46 -15.83 72 161 Crescent City : 43 59 52 -3 16 -17 0.01 -0.53 1 47.70 -15.12 76 113 Florence : 34 74 54 -2 29 -4 - -0.76 - 62.84 -9.37 87 131 North Bend : 45 66 54 -1 32 -2 - -0.55 - 43.92 -16.66 72 132 Tillamook : 36 75 57 +4 47 +23 - -0.91 - 42.91 -39.52 52 141 WILLAMETTE : VALLEY : Aurora 8/ : 41 88 65 +9 110 +58 - -0.49 - 30.82 -7.12 81 135 Corvallis : 37 85 63 +7 91 +43 - -0.40 - 26.36 -13.92 65 146 Detroit Lake 8/ : 43 91 67 +14 118 +91 - -0.68 - 77.16 13.69 122 150 Eugene : 38 86 62 +5 86 +30 - -0.42 - 25.23 -21.34 54 117 Hillsboro : 37 87 63 +6 94 +42 - -0.36 - 21.14 -13.60 61 113 McMinnville : 37 89 63 +6 90 +36 - -0.36 - 17.40 -23.74 42 109 Portland : 47 88 68 +9 128 +62 0.01 -0.41 1 23.92 -9.32 72 134 Salem : 40 89 66 +9 111 +61 - -0.42 - 24.74 -11.93 67 117 SW VALLEYS : Grants Pass : 46 96 69 +8 136 +55 - -0.21 - 21.52 -8.42 72 101 Medford : 45 95 71 +11 149 +72 0.05 -0.16 1 11.99 -5.59 68 83 Roseburg : 44 92 69 +10 132 +67 - -0.28 - 22.32 -8.66 72 111 NORTH CENTRAL : Condon : 40 89 65 +11 104 +70 0.05 -0.23 1 10.14 -1.74 85 86 Echo 8/ : 49 95 71 +9 146 +61 - -0.14 - 7.16 -0.75 91 85 Heppner : 41 91 64 +7 102 +43 - -0.28 - 9.83 -2.15 82 86 Hermiston : 43 96 70 +8 140 +55 - -0.14 - 5.81 -2.10 73 70 Madras 8/ : 36 89 65 +9 107 +59 0.02 -0.19 1 6.60 -2.09 76 75 Moro : 43 92 66 +11 113 +68 - -0.14 - 9.55 -0.23 98 74 Parkdale 8/ : 42 89 63 +6 95 +38 - -0.20 - 37.07 7.62 126 118 Pendleton : 47 92 69 +8 132 +56 - -0.21 - 11.00 0.46 104 84 Prairie City 8/ : 36 89 65 +9 107 +59 0.02 -0.19 1 6.60 -2.09 76 75 The Dalles : 52 96 71 +15 152 +103 - -0.21 - 12.07 0.87 108 94 SOUTH CENTRAL : Agency Lake 8/ : 36 83 60 +9 75 +51 0.31 0.03 2 11.99 -2.36 84 71 Bend : 37 87 62 +10 89 +62 0.16 -0.05 2 6.17 -3.65 63 44 Burns : 40 86 64 +11 97 +68 1.07 0.82 2 8.06 -0.02 100 76 Christmas Valley 8/ : 34 86 60 +4 74 +29 0.03 -0.23 2 5.95 -4.37 58 79 Klamath Falls : 38 84 63 +7 89 +48 0.27 0.06 4 7.13 -4.77 60 67 Klamath Falls 8/ : 37 85 62 +7 87 +46 0.68 0.47 5 8.59 -3.31 72 89 Lakeview : 37 83 61 +7 76 +44 0.57 0.22 3 7.07 -6.55 52 86 Lorella 8/ : 36 85 62 +7 84 +43 0.07 -0.14 1 5.87 -6.03 49 64 Redmond : 36 91 65 +11 106 +73 0.25 0.04 1 4.95 -1.91 72 57 Worden 8/ : 34 85 60 +4 69 +28 0.63 0.42 4 5.68 -6.22 48 72 NORTHEAST : Baker City : 34 85 61 +6 78 +39 0.14 -0.21 1 7.07 -0.91 89 90 Joseph : 42 79 61 +12 81 +66 0.01 -0.48 1 13.89 -7.33 65 97 La Grande : 41 88 64 +7 99 +49 0.07 -0.31 1 9.67 -4.85 67 72 Union : 41 87 64 +10 100 +62 0.04 -0.38 1 11.92 1.25 112 90 SOUTHEAST : Ontario : 51 91 71 +8 147 +55 - -0.21 - 7.26 -1.08 87 55 Rome : 40 91 67 +9 122 +61 0.09 -0.16 1 4.63 -1.81 72 59 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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.