OR-crop-weather Oregon Crop Weather Released: October 5, 2009 Week ending: October 4, 2009 OR-CW2709 OREGON CROP WEATHER NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE USDA, NASS, Oregon Field Office Phone: 503-326-2131 Released: October 5, 2009 Toll Free: 1-800-338-2157 Week ending: October 4, 2009 Email: nass-or@nass.usda.gov Volume: 27-09 Internet: www.nass.usda.gov/or Weather: Temperatures cooled as rain arrived throughout the week across Oregon: Of the forty-three stations, all but three reported measurable rainfall (each of the three were in south central Oregon), fifteen reported more than half an inch, and four stations exceeded one inch of rain. High temperatures ranged from 89 degrees in Grants Pass and Rome, down to 63 degrees in Bandon and Parkdale. This was the first week since June that temperatures remained below 90 degrees across the State. Lows ranged from 16 degrees in Burns, up to 42 degrees in Portland. Some areas received their first frosts of the season. Eighteen stations reported temperatures below freezing, including all stations in southeast and south central Oregon, although each of these reported highs in the mid-70s or above. Field Crops: Active preparations for next year's grass seed crop. Other fall field preparation was also active. Some haying. Field corn was being harvested in Malheur County, mostly done in Washington County. Rain in north central Oregon was welcomed by small grain growers. Light rains in western Oregon were welcomed by grain and grass seed growers, but not by grape growers. The potato harvest in Klamath County continued. The seed potato harvest was nearly complete. The sugarbeet harvest was well underway. The carrot seed harvest was nearly complete. Vegetables: Fall vegetables were out for sale. Farmers markets remained well stocked with a variety of produce. Storage onion harvest continued in Jackson County, and Malheur County onions were passing their peak. Pumpkins and squash harvests were picking up. Tomatoes still green but ripening. Fruits and Nuts: Grape harvest was well underway. The Douglas County harvest was progressing quickly. Harvesting was expected to slow to allow later maturing varieties of grapes additional time to finish maturing. Josephine County reported that harvested grapes were of good condition. Hazelnut harvest was in full swing as well with an average yield of good sized nuts. Pear and apple harvests continued. The southern Willamette Valley was reporting good crops of Asian pears that were of smaller sized. Nurseries and Greenhouses: Seasonal greenhouses continued shutting down. Other greenhouses were busy preparing fall decorative plants. Nurseries were active with sales of trees and shrubs for fall planting. Livestock, Range and Pasture: More moisture was needed to replenish pastures and rangelands. Ranchers were busy with irrigation and weaning spring calves. Animals were being moved off of summer allotments and brought home from open ranges. Some were being moved onto stubble fields. Stock water was running low in Union and Baker counties, where they received no precipitation during September. Livestock were generally doing well across the State. Soil Moisture - Week Ending 10/04/09 ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Very : : : : short : Short : Adequate : Surplus ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Percent : Topsoil : 36 40 24 0 Subsoil : 41 43 16 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Progress - Week Ending 10/04/09 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : This : Last : Last : 5 year Crop : week : week : year : average -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Winter wheat planted : 49 37 35 44 Winter wheat emerged : 24 1 3 15 : Days suitable for fieldwork : 6.4 7.0 5.3 6.1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Condition - Week Ending 10/04/09 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Very : : : : Crop : poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Corn : 0 2 21 66 11 Range and pasture : 29 24 31 16 0 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Western Oregon BENTON/LANE/LINN: Good fall moisture had grass seed and other crops recovering from dormancy and emerging from seed. Grass seed fields were being burned, plowed and planted, and sprout control spray was applied. Many fields were re-growing after burning and the fall rains. Winter wheat planting began. Silage corn harvest began last week. Cash flow pressure had most growers cutting back on inputs. Pumpkins and squash were being loaded. Strawberries, cherries, prunes, peaches, raspberries, black raspberries, and currant were all done or mostly done. Good crops of pears were being picked, though they were smaller in size this year. A moderate crop of apples was being picked, as were some late varieties of blueberries. Garlic planting started. Lots of tomatoes were still green, but more are ripening each week. Farmers markets were slowing down with the cold and rain, but supplied a full array of fresh local vegetables. Greenhouses were shutting down. CURRY: Cool nights with heavy dew and scattered light rain began to rejuvenate parched pastures. DOUGLAS: Light rains this week cooled off temperatures and reduced the dust in fields, but more substantial rains are needed to help with cover crop and fall seeded crop germination. The grape harvest was zooming. About 40 percent of grapes with a home were picked in the past ten days. It looks like later maturing varieties will slow the pace down despite a good weather forecast for next week. Late varieties need another week or two to finish maturing. Tree fruit was disappearing too. Apples were 85 percent harvested, and pears were about 90 percent complete. JACKSON: Grass and alfalfa hay was made. Grass hay was on the second cutting, and alfalfa hay the third cutting. Ground preparation was being done for fall grain planting. Apple and pear harvests continued, with most already picked. Vineyard harvest was about ready as sugar levels came up to desired levels. Storage onions were being harvested. Fresh vegetables were still at farmers markets and roadside stands. Fall squash and pumpkin harvests were getting started. Fall vegetables were ready and out for sale. Greenhouses were busy getting out fall decorative plants with lots for sale at outlets. Nurseries were busy with sales of fall trees and shrubs for planting. Plenty of watering and plant care was still needed to keep items looking their best. Irrigation kept ranchers busy to keep pastures green and forage growing. Fall weaning of spring calves was being done to get feeders ready for fall sales. All livestock on good irrigated pastures looked good, though any on dry ground pastures did not look as good. Some ranchers were getting ready to bring cattle home from open ranges. Weather this week has been somewhat cooler, with some nighttime dew. This helped somewhat, but much more is needed to get fall pastures growing. Some light rain forecasted for this weekend should help. JOSEPHINE: Temperatures were moderate all week, 60 - 80 degrees in the afternoons, and 32 - 45 degrees in the mornings. The County had fog, clouds, sun, wind, and about 0.08 inches of rain over the course of the week. The grape harvest was heavier with local vineyards saying "great harvest, good condition of grapes, sugar not too heavy". Volume was excellent. Animals were good. The cooler, shorter days were welcome. Lots of work was done preparing winter gardens, protecting beds and winterizing everything. The last hay was in. MARION: Weather was cool during the week with a few light showers, but not enough to move into the soil. Fields were being prepared for fall planting. Some fall herbicides were applied to grass seed fields. WASHINGTON: Most field corn was in silos. Small grains finished. Cover crops were plowed under or new seeding was emerging. Grapes were going to presses and were in processing vats. Berry picking was winding down, while apples were still being harvested. The Filbert harvest was in full swing with an average yield of good sized nuts. The sweet corn harvest finished. Potatoes were mostly done. Pumpkins were being harvested. Fresh markets had abundant produce available. Irrigation was ongoing at nurseries. Potted plants were transported to new plantations. Ball and burlap equipment was made ready for fall digging. Cattle were in fair shape and pastures helped reduce feed intake. The high temperature was 66.6 degrees, and the low 35.1 degrees. Humidity reached a high of 66 percent, and a low of 31 percent. There were light showers with .03 inches of measured moisture. YAMHILL: Fall was in the air on Thursday when the evening temperature dropped to 35 degrees in McMinnville, which means it was probably lower in other areas of the County. The grape harvest continued along with corn silage, apples, hazelnuts and fall vegetables. Fall copper sprays were being applied on tree fruits. Only one more farmers market shopping day left for the season. Light rains were welcomed by grain and grass seed farmers, but not so much by the grape growers. It was little enough to put down a little dust but not enough to make mud for the hazelnut growers. Hazelnut harvest continued. Eastern Oregon HARNEY: Temperatures cooled substantially over the week with several nights dipping well below freezing. Some precipitation was received over the weekend. Livestock producers were beginning to move cattle off summer allotments. HOOD RIVER: Cool, showery weather prevailed through much of the week causing intermittent disruptions to harvest operations. Winter pear harvest continued in the upper Hood River Valley, and apple harvest continued throughout the Valley. Postharvest orchard clean up continued in many orchards throughout the Valley. JEFFERSON: The carrot seed harvest was nearly complete. KLAMATH: Hot temperatures during the start of the week were replaced with cooler, fall temperatures. The first real nighttime freezing temperatures came at the middle and end of the week and included some snow showers. The potato harvest continued and the fourth cutting hay was down. Most grain harvesting was over. LAKE: There was precipitation over the weekend in the form of rain and snow. Snow melted by afternoon-should help to improve soil moisture conditions. MALHEUR: A low pressure system moved through the first of the week resulting in the season's first frost in early morning hours on Friday. Low temperatures ranged from 28 to 32 degrees. Harvest operations continued. Onions were at or past their peak. Potatoes were winding down. The field corn harvest was underway. Fall fieldwork finished on some fields and many others were being worked. Threat of showers at mid week resulted in approximately 0.2 inches by the weekend. MORROW: Significant rain Saturday. SHERMAN: Planting numbers may be deceiving. The north end of the county was 75 percent seeded while the south end was still deciding when to start. Cooler night temperatures brought moisture into the seed zone in conventional stubble mulch, but moisture was still a bit low in direct seed ground. UNION/BAKER: There was no precipitation in September. Stock water was scarce at lower elevations. The seed potato harvest was nearly complete. The sugarbeet harvest was well underway with cooperative weather, dry and cool. WASCO: The first fall rains came Saturday and Sunday morning. This rain was welcomed by all grain farmers. Wheat planting continued through most of the week. Field cultivation and fertilization were also active. Wine grape harvest continued through the week. Picking was active in pear and apple orchards. Pastures were at a season low. Most cattle herds, however, were doing well going into the fall season. Some cattle were being moved from open pastures and ranges to stubble fields. Weather data for selected stations in Oregon, Week ending: October 4, 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 : 39 64 53 -3 26 -13 1.55 0.65 5 3.63 0.19 106 14 Bandon 8/ : 36 63 51 -5 15 -25 0.37 -0.15 5 1.13 -0.87 57 15 Crescent City : 40 67 54 -4 31 -20 0.04 -0.55 1 0.61 -1.49 29 8 Florence : 33 66 51 -7 15 -38 0.73 -0.09 4 2.63 -0.34 89 8 North Bend : 39 64 53 -5 23 -26 0.45 -0.13 6 1.44 -0.70 67 12 Tillamook : 37 64 53 -3 23 -15 0.82 -0.30 6 2.21 -2.20 50 12 WILLAMETTE : VALLEY : Aurora 8/ : 38 67 53 -5 26 -23 0.46 -0.03 5 1.90 -0.19 91 12 Corvallis : 36 68 52 -6 21 -30 0.34 -0.09 5 1.31 -0.45 74 10 Detroit Lake 8/ : 39 66 49 -3 11 -15 1.77 1.11 6 3.27 0.62 123 9 Eugene : 38 68 53 -6 30 -28 0.54 0.12 6 1.55 -0.36 81 11 Hillsboro : 33 67 52 -5 21 -25 0.26 -0.16 5 1.52 -0.23 87 13 McMinnville : 31 67 52 -7 18 -33 0.02 -0.47 1 0.53 -1.39 28 5 Portland : 42 68 56 -4 42 -19 0.17 -0.25 5 1.53 -0.46 77 14 Salem : 39 68 54 -4 32 -17 0.31 -0.12 4 1.34 -0.46 74 10 SW VALLEYS : Grants Pass : 37 89 55 -6 39 -34 0.14 -0.16 3 0.14 -0.94 13 3 Medford : 37 79 53 -9 24 -47 0.16 -0.05 3 0.16 -0.82 16 3 Roseburg : 40 70 53 -7 25 -43 0.63 0.34 4 1.17 -0.14 89 5 NORTH CENTRAL : Condon : 28 75 48 -6 11 -16 0.74 0.60 1 0.81 0.00 100 2 Echo 8/ : 36 77 55 -3 37 -14 0.54 0.47 3 0.64 0.16 133 5 Heppner : 32 77 50 -6 19 -25 0.66 0.47 3 0.75 -0.17 82 4 Hermiston : 35 77 55 -3 35 -16 0.56 0.49 1 0.71 0.23 148 2 Madras 8/ : 30 72 47 -8 7 -29 0.44 0.35 3 0.62 0.02 103 4 Moro : 34 70 50 -6 8 -26 0.61 0.50 2 0.83 0.21 134 3 Parkdale 8/ : 32 63 48 -8 3 -38 1.34 1.05 5 1.85 0.54 141 8 Pendleton : 39 75 52 -6 20 -33 0.45 0.31 2 0.47 -0.20 70 3 Prairie City 8/ : 30 72 47 -8 7 -29 0.44 0.35 3 0.62 0.02 103 4 The Dalles : 38 70 56 +2 41 +4 0.27 0.16 2 0.45 -0.18 71 5 SOUTH CENTRAL : Agency Lake 8/ : 19 76 39 -12 3 -17 - -0.21 - 0.05 -0.70 7 1 Bend : 26 86 45 -8 18 -6 - -0.07 - - -0.51 - - Burns : 16 88 42 -9 12 -6 0.06 -0.07 2 0.14 -0.50 22 4 Christmas Valley 8/ : 20 79 40 -15 5 -33 0.16 0.02 2 0.16 -0.50 24 2 Klamath Falls : 26 78 44 -11 8 -29 - -0.14 - - -0.63 - - Klamath Falls 8/ : 25 79 44 -11 9 -28 0.01 -0.13 1 0.01 -0.62 2 1 Lakeview : 21 79 41 -13 7 -24 0.19 -0.02 2 0.19 -0.56 25 2 Lorella 8/ : 19 79 42 -13 7 -30 0.04 -0.10 1 0.04 -0.59 6 1 Redmond : 26 75 44 -9 4 -26 0.36 0.29 1 0.36 -0.09 80 1 Worden 8/ : 21 76 42 -13 8 -29 0.01 -0.13 1 0.01 -0.62 2 1 NORTHEAST : Baker City : 18 85 44 -9 9 -16 0.53 0.39 2 0.55 -0.27 67 4 Joseph : 26 81 43 -5 14 +1 1.81 1.46 3 1.81 0.25 116 3 La Grande : 34 88 48 -7 14 -24 0.51 0.28 2 0.51 -0.56 48 2 Union : 34 86 51 -2 26 -4 0.34 0.13 2 0.36 -0.80 31 3 SOUTHEAST : Ontario : 29 79 51 -7 18 -31 0.07 -0.02 1 0.07 -0.52 12 1 Rome : 22 89 46 -9 23 -15 0.20 0.08 1 0.20 -0.46 30 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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.