OR-crop-weather Oregon Crop Weather Released: August 10, 2009 Week ending: August 9, 2009 OR-CW1909 OREGON CROP WEATHER NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE USDA, NASS, Oregon Field Office Phone: 503-326-2131 Released: August 10, 2009 Toll Free: 1-800-338-2157 Week ending: August 9, 2009 Email: nass-or@nass.usda.gov Volume: 19-09 Internet: www.nass.usda.gov/or Weather: Temperatures were lower this week with more rain. Only three counties reported temperatures over 100 degrees, compared to twenty-six counties last week. High temperatures ranged from 102 degrees in Echo and Hermiston, down to 68 degrees in Bandon. Low temperatures ranged from 31 degrees in Agency Lake, up to 61 degrees in The Dalles. Thirty-one of the forty-three stations reported a measurable amount of precipitation last week, five with more than an inch of rain. The Joseph Station reported the most rain, totaling 2.25 inches. Field Crops: Winter wheat and hay harvest continued with a few interruptions from thunderstorms, but the rain was well received after recent hot spells. Spring grains were beginning to ripen across the State. Grass seed harvest was wrapping up in western areas. Peppermint harvest has begun in some western areas and was underway in northeastern Oregon. Potatoes were set back some by heat in Umatilla and Morrow counties. They looked good in Klamath County. Vegetables: Plenty of vegetable varieties are keeping the road side stands full including tomatoes, summer squash, corn, cucumbers, and eggplant. Vegetable quality seems to be doing well and gardening and harvesting activities continued. The snap bean harvest started in Yamhill County. Onions looked good in Klamath County. Fruits and Nuts: Cooler weather eased stress on fruit and nut trees. Peach harvest continued across the State. Cherry harvest in the upper Hood River Valley was nearly complete. Lower Hood River valley growers prepared for the summer pear harvest. Some blueberries and blackberries were still being harvested. In Washington County, walnuts were sizing and there was evidence of a potentially good crop. Nurseries and Greenhouses: Rain this week eased the irrigation burden for nursery crops after weeks of hot, dry weather. Cooler temperatures were welcome, although many predominant nursery areas missed most of the rain. Livestock, Range and Pasture: Livestock were doing well. Those on dryland pastures have needed supplemental feed. Water holes were drying up requiring ranchers to haul water. Soil Moisture-Week Ending 08/09/09 ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Very : : : : short : Short : Adequate : Surplus ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Percent : Topsoil : 29 40 30 1 Subsoil : 24 44 32 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Progress-Week Ending 08/09/09 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : This : Last : Last : 5 year Crop : week : week : year : average -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Alfalfa hay, second cutting : 90 80 100 57 Alfalfa hay, third cutting : 25 13 11 3 Winter wheat harvested : 86 77 86 76 Barley harvested : 70 61 64 67 Spring wheat harvested : 65 61 71 61 : Days suitable for fieldwork : 5.9 6.8 6.5 6.7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Condition-Week Ending 08/09/09 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Very : : : : Crop : poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Winter wheat : 7 24 34 33 2 Spring wheat : 8 34 27 27 4 Barley : 4 9 31 51 5 Corn : 0 2 18 66 14 Range and pasture : 15 22 35 27 1 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Western Oregon BENTON/LANE/LINN: The grain and grass seed harvest was coming to an end, while the clover and peppermint harvests began. CLACKAMAS: A heat spell broke early in the week. It was cooler and cloudy midweek but warmer by the weekend. Cool days slowed grass seed and grain harvests. CLATSOP/TILLAMOOK: This week was cooler and dry. COLUMBIA: This week was in the mid 70's. Peaches, plums, berries, and vegetables were being harvested. Winter wheat was being harvested and alfalfa cut. We reached the 28th consecutive day without rain. COOS/CURRY: A little rain, and persistent marine layer slowed the decline in pasture quality this week, but most pastures produced very little forage. Low temperatures were slightly above the 5-year average in Coos and slightly below the 5-year average in southern Curry County. High temperatures through the week were 1 to 2 degrees below the 5-year average on the coast in Coos County, and 9 degrees above the 5-year average for the week in southern Curry. There was only a trace of precipitation for the week in both Curry and Coos. Producers were making hay. Bandon (Coos & Northern Curry): The low temperature for the period was 52.57 degrees, 2.16 degrees above the 5-year average. The high temperature for the period was 68.07 degrees, 1.51 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 0.01 inches. Precipitation for the current weather year precipitation (began 10/08) stood at 40.79 inches, 14.57 inches below the 5 year average, and 17.95 inches below the long-term historical average. The historical average precipitation through August is 58.74 inches. Brookings (Southern Curry): The low temperature for the period was 51.55 degrees, 1.24 degrees below the 5- year average. The high temperature for the period was 79.5 degrees, 9.12 degrees above the 5-year average. Precipitation for the period was 0.03 inches, compared to a 5-year (including drought in 2004 & 2005) average of 0.07 inches. Precipitation for the current weather year (began 10/08) stood at 70.58 inches, 9.78 inches below the 5 year average. The historical average precipitation through August is 71.53 inches. DOUGLAS: There were a few days where temperatures were 10-15 degrees below normal for this time of year. JACKSON: Grain harvest and haying continued as weather was favorable for those harvests. Peaches and still some cane berries were being harvested. Bartlett pears were about ready for harvest. Lots of wild blackberries were being picked. The fruit size was much smaller this year, but still a very tasty berry for pies and jelly. There are lots of fresh vegetables now: tomatoes, cucumbers, summer squash, and lots more. It has kept gardeners busy with harvesting, and kept ground moisture up and crops coming on. Livestock that was on good irrigated pastures looked quite good, but any on dry ground pastures needed supplemental feeding. This week was just about a repeat of last week, with haying, and some grain harvest being done, and plenty of irrigation in the dry weather. The weather was somewhat cooler this week, with some scattered showers, but not much accumulation. Lots of hay was being sold straight out of the fields. All-in-all it was a good week to get harvest things done. JOSEPHINE: Temperatures were in a more normal range for us this week. There were 3 days with nighttime temperatures in the low to mid 40's, and 4 days in 50's. Daytime temperatures ranged from 75 to the low 90's. It was great weather for people. Truck gardens were selling tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, summer squash, and corn. Some blueberries were still available from local farms. Wild blackberries were ripening. With a larger variety than truck gardens, home growers displayed in our local farmers market: eggplant, English cucumbers, lemon, pickling and slicers. Animals were looking good where on irrigated acreage, otherwise dry with water tanks. A lot of native trees are showing stress from the extreme heat, oaks, ash. They all had a lot of lush growth from our late spring rains. Some low lying areas still have green growth. We are in extreme fire danger here and have had fire suppression crews working fires in area. Sleeper fires from thunderstorms are keeping crews busy. MARION: A lot of wheat was combined. The grass seed harvest finished up except for bentgrass varieties. Fields were getting worked to prepare for fall plantings. Temperatures cooled at the end of the week and even a few sprinkles were felt a couple of times. WASHINGTON: In this area, red clover needed swathing, field corn set some ears, grass for seed finished and winter wheat neared the end of its harvest. Spring grains were nearly ripe. Blue and blackberries were at stands. Walnuts were sizing and with signs of loaded trees. All vegetables were available at markets. Sweet corn was doing well. Roadside stands had early sweet corn. There was irrigation and preparation for the fall harvest. The high temperature was 92 degrees, and the low 52 degrees. Humidity was 74 percent at its highest, with a low of 32 percent. YAMHILL: First processed green beans were harvested this week. The grass seed harvest was down to stragglers. The winter wheat yield reported 130-140 bu/ac, which was the best ever seen by some farmers. More ground work was seen around the county as farmers prepared for fall planting. The County really could have used some of the forecasted rains from this week, but had no luck. The peach harvest continued. Cooler weather eased the stress on fruit and nut trees. Eastern Oregon GILLIAM: Thunderstorms resulted in less than an inch of rain in the Condon area. HOOD RIVER: Moderate weather prevailed during the week with high temperatures ranging from the high 60s to high 80s. The cherry harvest was nearly complete in the upper Hood River Valley. Lower valley pear growers prepared for the summer pear harvest. Summer orchard operations continued throughout the valley. KLAMATH: Temperatures were in the 80's during the first part of the week. Thunderstorms brought hail and heavy rains for portions of the day on Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures were much cooler at the end of the week. Some second cutting was rained on. Grain started to turn. Potato and onion crops looked good. LAKE: The County received some precipitation towards the end of the week. There were several producers with the second cutting of alfalfa in the windrows. MALHEUR: Heavy rains hit parts of the County over this last weekend. MORROW: Heat broke from triple digits with a 30 degree drop, including scattered rain showers. The showers were not enough to wet summer fallow for fall seeding, but enough to stop progress on the harvest and probably break the moisture barrier and force another tillage or chemical fallow application to control new weeds. UMATILLA: Heat was brutal to potato yields. Ranger yields may be down 10 percent. The Shepody potato harvest is done. Heat may affect late season potato qualities like Russet Burbank. Dry land wheat yields were about normal. Irrigated yields were showing about 150 bushes per acre, also about what one would expect. UNION/BAKER: The grass seed harvest was completed, the peppermint harvest was underway, and the grain harvest was picking up speed early in the week. All harvesting came to a stop due to a thunderstorm Tuesday afternoon with additional thunderstorms occurring Wednesday through Friday. Steady rainfall occurred over a wide area in the County on Thursday and there were scattered showers on Friday. Overall, the thunderstorms this week have delivered significant rainfall in several areas of the County (over 1 inch), high winds, and lightning. It is too early to determine whether or not the grain will be subject to sprout damage. WASCO: Temperatures were more than 10 degrees cooler. The wheat harvest moved rapidly through Wasco County. Ninety five percent of the wheat crop has been harvested. The third cutting of alfalfa hay looked good. Apricots and peaches continued to be harvested. Cattle continue doing fairly well despite pastures rapidly being used up. Cattle watering holes were also drying up. Wasco County Fair starts this coming week at Tygh Valley. WALLOWA: There was heat early in the week. Heavy thunder and lightening towards the end caused several fires, but rain on Thursday and Friday stopped them. Rain caused delays in haying and some grain harvesting, but was a welcome relief from the heat. Better weather, as far as clear skies, is predicted for the weekend. Weather data for selected stations in Oregon, Week ending: August 9, 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 : 52 69 62 +1 81 +4 0.05 -0.16 2 58.75 -6.85 90 165 Bandon 8/ : 53 68 61 +2 76 +13 0.02 -0.13 2 41.07 -17.31 70 176 Crescent City : 52 69 61 +3 80 +17 0.03 -0.12 2 47.95 -16.78 74 126 Florence : 54 74 62 +2 87 +13 - -0.22 - 64.17 -11.55 85 144 North Bend : 55 70 61 +2 83 +13 0.08 -0.06 1 45.38 -17.43 72 146 Tillamook : 57 73 64 +6 100 +37 0.06 -0.22 2 44.19 -43.40 50 153 WILLAMETTE : VALLEY : Aurora 8/ : 51 89 67 +0 118 -1 - -0.14 - 31.74 -8.70 78 147 Corvallis : 48 88 64 -4 100 -19 - -0.14 - 27.69 -14.52 66 157 Detroit Lake 8/ : 53 94 67 +4 120 +26 0.24 0.03 2 79.25 12.42 119 167 Eugene : 46 90 66 -3 118 -8 - -0.18 - 26.81 -21.92 55 124 Hillsboro : 51 89 66 -1 113 -4 - -0.20 - 22.55 -14.36 61 122 McMinnville : 47 88 65 -3 106 -13 - -0.13 - 18.05 -24.76 42 115 Portland : 58 90 69 -1 134 +0 - -0.19 - 25.57 -10.01 72 144 Salem : 51 89 67 -1 119 -3 0.01 -0.13 1 26.81 -11.93 69 128 SW VALLEYS : Grants Pass : 50 98 71 -3 148 -7 0.53 0.46 3 23.28 -7.50 76 112 Medford : 49 98 72 -3 153 -15 - -0.07 - 13.81 -4.70 75 93 Roseburg : 56 93 69 -1 135 -5 0.03 -0.09 1 23.26 -9.09 72 117 NORTH CENTRAL : Condon : 46 97 71 +5 146 +28 0.30 0.16 1 11.50 -2.04 85 93 Echo 8/ : 57 102 77 +4 189 +26 0.18 0.11 1 7.55 -1.12 87 91 Heppner : 50 99 73 +3 162 +22 0.53 0.39 2 11.43 -1.98 85 96 Hermiston : 57 102 77 +4 190 +27 0.19 0.12 1 6.37 -2.30 73 77 Madras 8/ : 43 95 68 +0 127 +2 - -0.08 - 8.10 -1.91 81 85 Moro : 51 97 69 +1 137 +5 - -0.07 - 10.21 -0.56 95 79 Parkdale 8/ : 51 89 66 -3 111 -15 - -0.07 - 37.22 6.74 122 123 Pendleton : 54 99 73 -2 163 -3 1.01 0.94 2 13.05 1.43 112 91 Prairie City 8/ : 43 95 68 +0 127 +2 - -0.08 - 8.10 -1.91 81 85 The Dalles : 61 97 74 +7 171 +49 0.01 -0.06 1 12.13 -0.02 100 97 SOUTH CENTRAL : Agency Lake 8/ : 31 85 58 -6 56 -41 0.01 -0.13 1 13.89 -1.81 88 84 Bend : 46 99 69 +5 132 +34 0.57 0.45 1 11.23 -0.08 99 54 Burns : 42 94 63 -4 93 -20 0.32 0.18 3 11.15 1.66 117 93 Christmas Valley 8/ : 36 88 61 -9 78 -54 0.53 0.39 3 9.39 -2.59 78 99 Klamath Falls : 37 87 61 -8 75 -51 0.23 0.09 3 9.01 -4.10 69 85 Klamath Falls 8/ : 36 88 61 -8 77 -49 0.13 -0.01 2 10.80 -2.31 82 107 Lakeview : 40 87 60 -7 74 -44 0.12 0.04 1 9.53 -5.70 63 102 Lorella 8/ : 33 89 59 -10 67 -59 0.33 0.19 2 7.95 -5.16 61 79 Redmond : 41 94 67 +1 122 +6 0.51 0.41 1 7.74 -0.42 95 71 Worden 8/ : 34 87 58 -11 57 -69 0.03 -0.11 2 7.41 -5.70 57 93 NORTHEAST : Baker City : 46 96 65 -3 109 -14 1.10 0.89 2 11.09 0.90 109 111 Joseph : 46 89 64 +3 99 +20 2.25 2.04 3 21.15 -2.92 88 122 La Grande : 48 97 68 -3 129 -12 1.22 1.02 3 12.17 -4.62 72 86 Union : 49 98 69 +2 135 +10 1.27 1.10 3 14.83 1.78 114 108 SOUTHEAST : Ontario : 53 101 72 -5 152 -31 0.60 0.53 4 9.92 0.57 106 74 Rome : 48 95 67 -5 123 -30 0.34 0.27 3 9.89 2.01 126 78 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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.