OR-crop-weather Oregon Crop Weather Released: September 28, 2009 Week ending: September 27, 2009 OR-CW2605 OREGON CROP WEATHER NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE USDA, NASS, Oregon Field Office Phone: 503-326-2131 Released: September 28, 2009 Toll Free: 1-800-338-2157 Week ending: September 27, 2009 Email: nass-or@nass.usda.gov Volume: 26-09 Internet: www.nass.usda.gov/or Weather: For most of Oregon it was another hot, dry week. Only three out of forty-three weather stations reported a measurable amount of rain, led by Portland with just 0.02 inches. High temperatures ranged from 101 degrees in Roseburg, down to 81 degrees in Crescent City (compared to a high of 71 the previous week in Crescent city). Lows ranged from 23 degrees in Christmas Valley, up to 49 degrees in Portland. Eight stations reported temperatures below freezing, although each of these reported highs in the upper 80s or above. Two stations in the Southwest Valleys exceeded 100 degree temperatures. Portland weather was wonderful as it hosted the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. Field Crops: Much of the small grain harvest throughout the State has been completed. Fall field preparation continued but was delayed some due to dry soil conditions. More moisture will be needed for proper germination. Statewide, winter wheat has progressed to 37 percent planted. The third cutting of alfalfa hay was wrapping up. Corn for grain was reported in mostly good condition. Annual ryegrass and fescues were planted. Some grass seed companies did not extend contracts. The hop harvest finished. Potatoes for seed were harvested. The carrot seed harvest was still in progress. Vegetables: Farmers markets slowed down a little, but still had a full assortment of local vegetables. The vegetable harvest was active. Pumpkins were being cut from the vine, while tomatoes were still green. Garlic planting started. Lots of irrigation was still needed to keep crops coming up. The sweet corn harvest continued, although some contracts were cancelled. Fruits and Nuts: Hazelnut harvest began. Nuts harvested thus far were reportedly of excellent quality. In Washington County hazelnuts continued to fall heavily and harvest was expected to begin next week. The grape harvest in Douglas, Wasco, and Yamhill counties began under ideal conditions this week. Yields and quality were reportedly very good. In the Hood River Valley, the winter pear harvest was well underway in all areas except the late maturing orchards in the upper Valley. In Douglas County, the Anjou and Comice pear harvests proceeded quickly and were expected to be complete within the week. The apple harvest was also moving quickly: Gala and Golden Delicious varieties completed harvest, while Fuji and Red Delicious varieties should finish within the next ten days. Nurseries and Greenhouses: Seasonal greenhouses were shutting down. Other greenhouses were busy with decorative and vegetable plants. Nurseries were preparing for the fall planting season. Other nursery activities included irrigation, transplanting into containers, and pruning shrubs. Livestock, Range and Pasture: Lots of irrigation was done through this hot, dry week. In Wasco County, livestock moved to fresher pastures, including grain stubble fields. Ranchers provided supplemental feed, preparing for fall sales. Fall planting of pastures proceeded quickly and next week's forecasted rain will be very welcome. Soil Moisture - Week Ending 09/27/09 ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Very : : : : short : Short : Adequate : Surplus ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Percent : Topsoil : 36 45 19 0 Subsoil : 32 50 18 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Progress - Week Ending 09/27/09 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : This : Last : Last : 5 year Crop : week : week : year : average -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Alfalfa hay, third cutting : 98 94 90 92 Winter wheat planted : 37 27 29 27 : Days suitable for fieldwork : 7.0 6.5 6.5 6.6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Condition - Week Ending 09/27/09 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Very : : : : Crop : poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Corn : 0 2 14 64 20 Range and pasture : 24 24 37 15 0 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Western Oregon BENTON//LINN: Squash and corn for silage/processing were being harvested; fall ground work began; annual ryegrass and fescues were being planted. Strawberries, raspberries, cherries, and prunes were mostly done. Currants were also done with summer burn due to hot weather. There were a few late peaches and late varieties of blueberries. Asian and other pears were being picked, smaller in size this year. There was a moderate crop of apples. Garlic planting started. Many tomatoes were still green, but more ripening each week. Farmers markets slowed down, but still had a full array of fresh and local vegetables available. Greenhouses were shutting down. CLACKAMAS: More late summer weather, dry with some hot days. Everything needed water, except the wine grape folks. COLUMBIA: Hazelnuts began to be harvested this week. Growers were pleased that they were able to start early this year. Pumpkins were also cut from the vine and were being brought in from the fields. The pumpkins were especially nice this year, shiny and plump with hardly any blemishes. Lime was being dusted over fields. COOS/CURRY: Low temperatures were 1 to 4 degrees above the 5-year average in both Coos and Curry counties. High temperatures through the week were about 3 degrees or more above the 5-year average in both Coos and Curry, with the exception of the spike to 82 degrees in Brookings on Monday and the spike to 93 on Bandon (23 degrees above the 5-year average). Highs inland on Monday were over 100 degrees. There was only a trace of precipitation on one day in Bandon and Brookings. Morning fog persisted near the Coast most of the week. Bandon (Coos and Northern Curry): The low temperature for the period was 44.84 degrees, 1.15 degrees above the 5-year average. The high temperature for the period was 92.7 degrees, 23.11 degrees above the 5-year average. Precipitation for the period was 0.01 inches, 0.06 inches below the 5-year (including drought in 2004 and 2005) average for the week of 0.07 inches. Precipitation for current weather year precipitation (began 10/08) stands at 41.98 inches, 15.64 inches below the 5 year average, and 18.42 inches below the long-term historical average. Historical average precipitation through September is 60.4 inches. Brookings (Southern Curry): The low temperature for the period was 51.02 degrees, 3.51 degrees above the 5-year average. The high temperature for the period was 81.9 degrees, 5.4 degrees above the 5- year average. Precipitation for the period was 0.01 inches, compared to a 5- year (including drought in 2004 and 2005) average of 0.06 inches. Precipitation for current weather year precipitation (began 10/08) stands at 71.94 inches, 10.18 inches below the 5 year average. Historical average precipitation through September is 73.48 inches. DOUGLAS: Above average daily high temperatures this past week. Grape harvest was beginning under ideal conditions. Grape yields and quality were very good. Anjou and Comice Pear harvest was going fast. The pear harvest will be complete in one week. Apple harvest was also going fast with Gala and Golden Delicious done, and with Fuji and Red Delicious expected to finish within the next ten days. Fall planted pastures, grass seed, and grains were going in fast. Planting was slowed by the lack of soil moisture. As soon as we get a few rains, planting will be quickly completed. JACKSON: Still some grass and alfalfa hay were being made. Field preparation for fall planting was being done. Apple and pear harvests continued. Weather this week was good for harvesting. Vineyards were getting ready for harvest. Lots of vegetables were still being harvested, and roadside stands were in good supply. Farmers markets were still busy with good vegetables. Lots of watering was needed to keep crops coming on. Greenhouses were busy with fall vegetable starts and decorative plants. Nurseries were getting ready for fall planting season, getting stock ready for sale, doing lots of plant care and upkeep, watering, and transplanting into containers. Nearly all livestock looked quite good. Spring calves showed good growth. Lots of irrigation was done to keep pasture forage growing. Some cattle were worked to get ready for fall sales. After another hot and dry week, dry ground pastures need rain soon. It was good weather for harvesting work, but hard on any growing crops. Farmers and ranchers were busy with haying, fruit harvests, and vegetable harvests, and of course lots of irrigation. LANE: Sweet corn and field corn harvest continued. Sweet corn yields were average to a little below. Field corn yields were average. Grass seed fields were being burned, plowed, and planted. Many fields re-growing after burning and the fall rains. MARION: Hop harvest finished. Warm summer weather all week provided good conditions for working field in preparation for fall planting. Some established grass seed fields started to turn green, and new fields were planted. MULTNOMAH: Spring wheat harvest was complete. WASHINGTON: The fourth cutting Alfalfa headed to barn storage; silage corn cutting started; cover crops were sprouting. Everbearing strawberries and blueberries were on market stands and famers markets; filberts were falling heavily and harvesting ready to begin next week. Sweet corn had some contracts cancelled and paid for not harvesting; some sweet corn continued to be harvested; pumpkins arrived at markets, where there was abundance of produce. Greenhouse and nursery crops were irrigated; small shrubs were pruned; soil was prepared for fall planting. Cattle, buffalo, and calves were doing well; pastures struggled to provide feed-some supplemental feed was offered. The high temperature was 93 degrees and the low was 41 degrees. Humidity reached a high of 77 percent and a low of 30 percent. Field preparation for fall planting continued. YAMHILL: Wine grape harvest really got started this week. Corn silage harvest continued. Fall type vegetables were very common at the farmers markets. Reports continued to come in that grass seed companies were not extending contracts and demanded that fields be plowed out. The hazelnut harvest started. Conditions for harvest were excellent, and the quality of the nuts coming off the orchard floor was excellent. Eastern Oregon BAKER: Very dry. GILLIAM: Seeding was delayed in some areas of the County due to dry soil conditions and lack of rain. HOOD RIVER: Fair weather conditions prevailed through the week. Winter pear harvest continued in orchards throughout the Hood River Valley with the exception of the latest maturing orchards in the upper Valley. Some lower Valley growers applied postharvest clean up sprays. JEFFERSON: There was excellent weather heading into the final few weeks of the irrigation season; there has still not been a hard frost in Madras yet. Seed potato harvest was 60 percent complete. Carrot seed harvest was still in progress, possibly a few days ahead of normal. New plantings of Kentucky bluegrass have done very well since they were planted a little more than a month ago. Any mint that got a second cutting was done and had little interference from rain showers. KLAMATH: Fall field preparation was ongoing. Some preparation for the onion harvest was being done. Most of the potato harvest was still seven to ten days away and there was still some small grain harvest to go. LAKE: There was no precipitation during the week. Livestock producers were starting to move cattle off of grazing allotments. WALLOWA: Cooler temperatures and moisture needed. Most of the grain harvest has been completed. WASCO: Warm weather prevailed through the week during the daylight hours, but the evenings were starting to become cooler as fall set in. Winter wheat planting continued through the week in dry soil, mainly at higher elevations. Rain was needed badly for proper germination. Alfalfa hay season came to a close in the Dufur and Tygh Valley areas. The only activity noted was retrieving the last hay bales out of fields. Fruit harvest continued on pears, apples, and wine grapes. Livestock started to be moved to fresher pastures, including grain stubble fields. Weather data for selected stations in Oregon, Week ending: September 27, 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 92 63 +6 91 +40 0.01 -0.79 1 2.08 -0.46 82 9 Bandon 8/ : 45 93 60 +4 73 +25 0.01 -0.44 1 0.76 -0.72 51 10 Crescent City : 47 81 60 +3 71 +15 - -0.49 - 0.57 -0.94 38 7 Florence : 36 86 59 +0 62 +0 - -0.69 - 1.90 -0.25 88 4 North Bend : 48 93 60 +3 71 +15 - -0.49 - 0.99 -0.57 63 6 Tillamook : 36 95 60 +4 74 +28 - -1.02 - 1.39 -1.90 42 6 WILLAMETTE : VALLEY : Aurora 8/ : 45 91 64 +6 103 +38 - -0.49 - 1.44 -0.16 90 7 Corvallis : 42 89 64 +5 97 +30 - -0.41 - 0.97 -0.36 73 5 Detroit Lake 8/ : 42 99 66 +13 117 +80 - -0.60 - 1.50 -0.49 75 3 Eugene : 40 89 63 +3 91 +16 - -0.42 - 1.01 -0.48 68 5 Hillsboro : 37 92 62 +4 84 +24 - -0.38 - 1.26 -0.07 95 8 McMinnville : 39 93 64 +5 101 +34 - -0.43 - 0.51 -0.92 36 4 Portland : 49 92 67 +7 121 +44 0.02 -0.40 1 1.36 -0.21 87 9 Salem : 45 93 65 +7 109 +44 - -0.42 - 1.03 -0.34 75 6 SW VALLEYS : Grants Pass : 44 98 69 +7 134 +46 - -0.26 - - -0.78 - - Medford : 46 100 72 +10 156 +66 - -0.21 - - -0.77 - - Roseburg : 45 101 68 +7 126 +45 - -0.28 - 0.54 -0.48 53 1 NORTH CENTRAL : Condon : 37 91 62 +8 82 +43 - -0.14 - 0.07 -0.60 10 1 Echo 8/ : 36 88 63 +4 91 +21 - -0.07 - 0.10 -0.31 24 2 Heppner : 36 87 64 +7 101 +43 - -0.21 - 0.09 -0.64 12 1 Hermiston : 33 88 63 +4 93 +23 - -0.07 - 0.15 -0.26 37 1 Madras 8/ : 35 89 63 +7 90 +40 - -0.11 - 0.18 -0.33 35 1 Moro : 35 89 62 +7 88 +39 - -0.11 - 0.22 -0.29 43 1 Parkdale 8/ : 35 86 60 +3 72 +17 - -0.28 - 0.51 -0.51 50 3 Pendleton : 39 92 65 +6 106 +35 - -0.14 - 0.02 -0.51 4 1 Prairie City 8/ : 35 89 63 +7 90 +40 - -0.11 - 0.18 -0.33 35 1 The Dalles : 41 92 67 +11 118 +65 - -0.12 - 0.18 -0.34 35 3 SOUTH CENTRAL : Agency Lake 8/ : 29 88 58 +7 59 +29 - -0.14 - 0.05 -0.49 9 1 Bend : 32 94 60 +8 72 +39 - -0.07 - - -0.44 - - Burns : 28 90 60 +9 74 +45 - -0.11 - 0.08 -0.43 16 2 Christmas Valley 8/ : 23 93 59 +3 62 +10 - -0.14 - - -0.52 - - Klamath Falls : 39 90 64 +8 101 +50 - -0.14 - - -0.49 - - Klamath Falls 8/ : 38 91 65 +9 108 +57 - -0.14 - - -0.49 - - Lakeview : 32 90 62 +8 88 +45 - -0.14 - - -0.54 - - Lorella 8/ : 26 94 60 +4 71 +20 - -0.14 - - -0.49 - - Redmond : 24 97 60 +6 72 +33 - -0.07 - - -0.38 - - Worden 8/ : 32 92 62 +6 87 +36 - -0.14 - - -0.49 - - NORTHEAST : Baker City : 26 90 59 +6 63 +25 - -0.14 - 0.02 -0.66 3 2 Joseph : 40 85 61 +12 79 +57 - -0.35 - - -1.21 - - La Grande : 30 93 62 +5 83 +31 - -0.21 - - -0.84 - - Union : 33 93 61 +7 80 +39 - -0.21 - 0.02 -0.93 2 1 SOUTHEAST : Ontario : 40 94 66 +7 114 +45 - -0.10 - - -0.50 - - Rome : 31 92 64 +8 97 +46 - -0.14 - - -0.54 - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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, 2009. 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.