OR-crop-weather Oregon Crop Weather Released: October 13, 2009 Week ending: October 11, 2009 OR-CW2809 OREGON CROP WEATHER NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE USDA, NASS, Oregon Field Office Phone: 503-326-2131 Released: October 13, 2009 Toll Free: 1-800-338-2157 Week ending: October 11, 2009 Email: nass-or@nass.usda.gov Volume: 28-09 Internet: www.nass.usda.gov/or Weather: Temperatures continued to fall, with twenty-eight of forty-three stations reporting sub-freezing temperatures. High temperatures ranged from 77 degrees in Medford, down to 55 degrees in Joseph. Fourteen stations reported temperatures in the 70s. This was the first week since May that temperatures remained below 80 degrees across the State. Lows ranged from 15 degrees in Redmond, up to 40 degrees in Crescent City. Only ten stations reported measurable precipitation (compared to forty stations in the previous week), although only four accumulated more than a tenth of an inch. Condon led the way with 0.49 inches. Field Crops: Some winter wheat was seeded in western Oregon, and some was about to start in anticipation of coming rains. Soil was dry. Grass seed fields were burned, plowed, and planted. Corn silage harvest in western Oregon was finishing. Some Gilliam planted wheat was seeded too deep and will have to be replanted. Even direct seeding was being planted in Morrow County, about two weeks earlier than last year. Wasco County wheat planting continued and a few fields were turning green. The carrot seed harvest was complete, and the sugarbeet harvest was nearly complete. Vegetables: The cold, wet weather slowed farmers markets down, but an array of fresh vegetables was still available. Squash and pumpkins were being harvested, while some late sweet corn, tomatoes, and bell peppers were harvested as well. Fruits and Nuts: Through dry weather conditions, farmers sped along with harvesting to stay ahead of forecasted rain. Grape harvest progressed across the State, just starting in Yamhill County and winding down in Josephine County. Rain next week may keep grapes on the vine longer, which could affect quality. A good crop of hazelnuts continued to be harvested in the south Willamette Valley. The winter pear harvest continued in the upper Hood River Valley, and the apple harvest continued throughout the Valley. Nurseries and Greenhouses: Greenhouses were shipping fall decorative plants. Seasonal greenhouses continued to shut down for the year. Fall digging of nursery plants continued with good field conditions. Sales of fall planting stock picked up in some areas. Livestock, Range and Pasture: Livestock were being moved to greener, lower elevation pastures and range. Calves were being weaned and vaccinated in preparation for the fall feeder sales. More rain was needed to help pastures. Soil Moisture - Week Ending 10/11/09 ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Very : : : : short : Short : Adequate : Surplus ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Percent : Topsoil : 29 47 24 0 Subsoil : 37 45 18 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Progress - Week Ending 10/11/09 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : This : Last : Last : 5 year Crop : week : week : year : average -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Winter wheat planted : 51 49 54 59 Winter wheat emerged : 25 24 5 21 : Days suitable for fieldwork : 6.5 6.4 5.7 6.1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Condition - Week Ending 10/11/09 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Very : : : : Crop : poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Corn : 0 1 16 64 19 Range and pasture : 23 31 29 17 0 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Western Oregon CLACKAMAS: It was another week of gorgeous fall weather. There were some frost pockets some mornings this week but still not a killing frost. Grape harvest was going well with very good quality. There were some unusually high brix numbers due to ideal ripening conditions. The year 2009 promises to be very good. Winter wheat seeding was about to start. Seedbeds would be better if there was a little more soil moisture. Pastures never really got going due to so much warm, dry weather. Most calves were weaned, vaccinated, and on trucks to greener pastures. DOUGLAS: The dry fall season continued to make it hard on cover crops trying to get established, and on fall planted crops. A few one-inch rains were needed to get crops established. Fall digging of nursery plants was beginning with good field conditions. Cool weather this past week had many deciduous crops turning in leaf color and shutting down their growing season. Grape harvest continued to go well with harvest about 50 percent complete. With a wet forecast for next week, many late maturing grapes will have to hang on the vine longer, which could cause some concern for quality. Tree fruit harvest was complete. JACKSON: Some hay was still being made, but taking longer to dry. Fall grain was slow getting ground ready, the ground too dry for planting. Some planting was done with hopes of rain next week. Some pears and apples were still being harvested, mostly the late varieties of pears. Some wine grapes were being picked, as sugar levels came up to desired levels. Fall vegetable crops were being harvested, mostly squash and pumpkins. There was still some late sweet corn, tomatoes, and bell peppers being harvested. Greenhouses were shipping out their fall plants, mostly decorative starts, but also some vegetable starts. Nurseries were getting busier with sales of fall planting stock. Nearly all livestock looked quite good going into fall. There was a lot of weaning and working of spring calves getting ready for fall sales. Mostly all cattle was being brought down from higher range pastures. Some irrigation systems were shutting down for the season, but unless a good rain comes soon, pastures will soon get used up. The weather was somewhat cooler, but still no rain to help with fall pastures and fall grain planting. Cooler nights made some dew, but it was not really much help. Some ground preparation for fall planting was still being done, and mulching leftover stubble. It was a comfortable week for almost all work. JOSEPHINE: Weather was gorgeous-cool nights and mild days. There were freezing temperatures in early mornings. There was no measurable precipitation all week. Grape harvest was winding down, as were truck gardens. Some planted bulbs, winter vegetables, did landscaping, or cut firewood. The bird population was thinning out. Local vineyards were saying the local harvest was phenomenal. LANE: There were not many changes from last week. Hazelnut harvest continued. It looked like a very good crop in the South Valley. The walnut crop was down. Grass seed fields were being burned, plowed, and planted. Many fields were re-growing after burning and the fall rains. Strawberries, cherries, prunes, and peaches were done. Raspberries, blackberries and blueberries were done, but there were still some fall berries being picked. Pears were being picked. They were a smaller size this year, but a good crop. Apples were a moderate crop. The currant crop was done. Garlic planting started. There were lots of green tomatoes, but more ripen each week. Farmers markets slowed down with the cold and rain, but still had a full array of fresh local vegetables available. Greenhouses were shutting down. MARION: Nights were cool, and some with close to freezing temperatures during the week. Fields were being worked and some were planted in anticipation of rains. There has still been no significant precipitation for quite a while. YAMHILL: Some of the wine grapes just started to be harvested. Squash continued; some hazelnuts were still being brought in. Dahlia gardens in the area were open and going strong. Fields were still being prepared for fall planting. Apples and table grapes were selling. No hard frosts hit the area yet, although there were several reports last week of pockets of light frost. Several days at 6 a.m. were clear and dewy. Grape and hazelnut harvests continued this week but trying to beat out next week's forecasted rains. Apple harvest continued. Some fall copper sprays were being applied on tree fruits. Corn silage harvest was wrapping up. Eastern Oregon GILLIAM: Condon station received 1.23 inches of rain mixed with snow October 4th & 5th. Mikkalo station received 0.43 inches in the same time period. Some early planted wheat seeded too deep will have to be replanted. HARNEY: Other than a few events bringing trace amounts of rainfall early in the week, no precipitation was received. Unseasonably cool temperatures were experienced throughout the week with nighttime/early morning temperatures dipping into the lower 20s and upper teens. HOOD RIVER: Fair weather prevailed through most of the week. Winter pear harvest continued in the upper Hood River Valley, and apple harvest continued throughout the Valley. Postharvest orchard cleanup continued in many orchards throughout the Valley. JEFFERSON: Carrot seed harvest was complete and irrigation will stop October 15. MORROW: A huge dust storm came on Sunday, originating in southeast Washington. It was not our soil despite the 45 MPH winds that shook things. Visibility was greatly reduced. Oddly enough, it came directly on the heels of a rain shower that dumped between 0.45 to 0.95 inches across the County. Even direct seeding was being planted, about 2 weeks earlier than last year. Deer season started last weekend. WASCO: Seasonal temperatures continued to cool through the week. The topsoil moisture was a little better, but more rain was needed for fall grains. Wheat planting continued all week. A few fields were starting to get green. Most orchard activity was coming to a close by week's end. Grape harvest continued. Ranchers moved cattle to better forage areas and calves started to be weaned for fall feeder sales. UNION/BAKER: Sugarbeet harvest nearly completed as the week ended with unseasonably colder night temperatures reaching into the teens and twenties WALLOWA: Heavy wet snow on Saturday in the Joseph/Enterprise area caused heavy tree losses. Fall winter wheat planting was almost finished. Weather data for selected stations in Oregon, Week ending: October 11, 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 : 37 66 53 -2 25 -5 - -1.03 - 3.63 -0.84 81 14 Bandon 8/ : 36 65 52 -3 18 -16 0.02 -0.61 2 1.15 -1.48 44 17 Crescent City : 40 68 51 -6 17 -31 - -0.75 - 0.61 -2.24 21 8 Florence : 34 68 51 -6 8 -36 - -1.00 - 2.63 -1.34 66 8 North Bend : 37 64 52 -5 15 -27 - -0.71 - 1.44 -1.41 51 12 Tillamook : 34 68 52 -3 16 -13 - -1.26 - 2.21 -3.46 39 12 WILLAMETTE : VALLEY : Aurora 8/ : 35 69 52 -3 18 -17 - -0.57 - 1.90 -0.76 71 12 Corvallis : 31 68 51 -5 9 -27 0.01 -0.50 1 1.32 -0.95 58 11 Detroit Lake 8/ : 32 69 52 +3 16 -2 - -0.79 - 3.27 -0.17 95 9 Eugene : 29 69 49 -8 5 -38 - -0.51 - 1.55 -0.87 64 11 Hillsboro : 29 70 50 -5 11 -21 - -0.48 - 1.52 -0.71 68 13 McMinnville : 31 69 51 -5 9 -29 - -0.54 - 0.53 -1.93 22 5 Portland : 39 70 54 -4 34 -12 - -0.48 - 1.53 -0.94 62 14 Salem : 36 70 52 -3 18 -17 - -0.50 - 1.34 -0.96 58 10 SW VALLEYS : Grants Pass : 32 76 52 -7 24 -34 0.07 -0.31 1 0.21 -1.25 14 4 Medford : 33 77 54 -4 34 -20 - -0.25 - 0.16 -1.07 13 3 Roseburg : 35 72 54 -4 32 -23 - -0.36 - 1.17 -0.50 70 5 NORTH CENTRAL : Condon : 25 63 44 -8 - -17 0.49 0.31 1 1.30 0.31 131 3 Echo 8/ : 18 70 46 -10 4 -30 - -0.09 - 0.64 0.07 112 5 Heppner : 28 67 46 -9 3 -28 0.07 -0.14 1 0.82 -0.31 73 5 Hermiston : 19 70 47 -8 5 -29 - -0.09 - 0.71 0.14 125 2 Madras 8/ : 24 65 44 -9 - -25 - -0.12 - 0.62 -0.10 86 4 Moro : 28 67 47 -6 3 -18 - -0.14 - 0.83 0.07 109 3 Parkdale 8/ : 22 69 46 -8 2 -25 - -0.35 - 1.85 0.19 111 8 Pendleton : 19 67 45 -11 3 -34 - -0.14 - 0.47 -0.34 58 3 Prairie City 8/ : 24 65 44 -9 - -25 - -0.12 - 0.62 -0.10 86 4 The Dalles : 32 74 52 +0 30 +6 - -0.14 - 0.45 -0.32 58 5 SOUTH CENTRAL : Agency Lake 8/ : 19 71 43 -6 - -12 - -0.23 - 0.05 -0.93 5 1 Bend : 20 64 41 -10 - -17 0.40 0.29 1 0.40 -0.22 65 1 Burns : 16 65 40 -8 - -11 - -0.14 - 0.14 -0.64 18 4 Christmas Valley 8/ : 14 67 40 -13 - -27 - -0.20 - 0.16 -0.70 19 2 Klamath Falls : 24 70 47 -5 - -25 - -0.19 - - -0.82 - - Klamath Falls 8/ : 25 71 48 -5 2 -23 - -0.19 - 0.01 -0.81 1 1 Lakeview : 20 66 43 -9 - -19 - -0.21 - 0.19 -0.77 20 2 Lorella 8/ : 17 71 43 -10 - -25 - -0.19 - 0.04 -0.78 5 1 Redmond : 15 65 41 -10 - -20 - -0.07 - 0.36 -0.16 69 1 Worden 8/ : 21 72 46 -7 - -25 - -0.19 - 0.01 -0.81 1 1 NORTHEAST : Baker City : 18 61 39 -11 - -16 - -0.14 - 0.55 -0.41 57 4 Joseph : 19 55 37 -9 - -7 0.12 -0.23 1 1.93 0.02 101 4 La Grande : 23 63 43 -10 - -25 - -0.25 - 0.51 -0.81 39 2 Union : 21 64 43 -8 - -20 0.01 -0.20 1 0.37 -1.00 27 4 SOUTHEAST : Ontario : 27 66 47 -8 4 -29 0.08 -0.02 1 0.15 -0.54 22 2 Rome : 22 63 42 -10 - -25 0.28 0.19 1 0.48 -0.27 64 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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.