OR-crop-weather Oregon Crop Weather Released: October 19, 2009 Week ending: October 18, 2009 OR-CW2909 OREGON CROP WEATHER NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE USDA, NASS, Oregon Field Office Phone: 503-326-2131 Released: October 19, 2009 Toll Free: 1-800-338-2157 Week ending: October 18, 2009 Email: nass-or@nass.usda.gov Volume: 29-09 Internet: www.nass.usda.gov/or Weather: Fall has arrived. Leaves were turning color and beginning to fall. Temperatures were mild, freezing at night. Twenty-seven of forty-three stations reported sub-freezing temperatures. Most notable this week was the heavy rainfall. Only one station received no rain, while eleven accumulated more than an inch of rain, and four stations received more than two inches. Although rain was spread across the State, most fell along the Coast and in the Willamette Valley. High temperatures ranged from 80 degrees in Heppner, down to 64 degrees in Parkdale. Lows ranged from 18 degrees in Christmas Valley, up to 45 degrees in Astoria/Clatsop. Field Crops: Rain showers this past week slowed fall field work across many areas of the State. Farmers were busy catching up with fall grain planting as time permitted between showers. Burning, plowing and planting of grass fields in the Valley continued. The Malheur County potato harvest was done and the sugarbeet harvest started. Statewide, winter wheat was slightly over three quarters planted and nearly half had emerged. Vegetables: This week's farmers markets were slowed down by the rain and cold temperatures, but still had plenty of local vegetables. Garlic plantings started and tomatoes were still green but ripening. Malheur County onion harvest was almost done. Fruits and Nuts: Wine grape harvest in the Western part of the State wound down this week. Douglas County reported wine grape harvest was 85% complete with a few late maturing varieties remaining. Growers this year reported very good yields, volume and quality. Winter pear harvest wrapped up in the upper Hood River Valley, while late-season apple harvest continued throughout the Valley. The cranberry harvest was in full swing. Nurseries and Greenhouses: Seasonal greenhouses were shutting down for the year. Nurseries continued with fall plant care activities. Livestock, Range and Pasture: The rain last week was helpful to pastures. Cattle were being moved off of rangeland allotments in Lake County. In Wasco County, cattle were grazing grain stubble fields. Soil Moisture - Week Ending 10/18/09 ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Very : : : : short : Short : Adequate : Surplus ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Percent : Topsoil : 10 30 54 6 Subsoil : 23 38 39 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Progress - Week Ending 10/18/09 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : This : Last : Last : 5 year Crop : week : week : year : average -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Winter wheat planted : 77 51 67 72 Winter wheat emerged : 43 25 10 32 : Days suitable for fieldwork : 4.3 6.5 6.5 6.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Condition - Week Ending 10/18/09 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Very : : : : Crop : poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Range and pasture : 18 27 38 17 0 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Western Oregon BENTON/LANE/LINN: The Willamette Valley experienced heavy rains this past week and temperatures were average for this time of year. Farmers were busy getting their fall grain crops planted. Grass seed fields were being burned, plowed and planted. Many fields regrowing after burning and the fall rains. Strawberries, cherries, prunes, and peaches were all done. Asian pears were being picked. They were a smaller size this year but a good crop. Apples were a moderate crop. Raspberries, black raspberries, and blueberries were done but some late varieties remained. Garlic planting started. Tomatoes were still green but ripening. Farmers markets slowed down with the cold and rain, but still included an array of fresh local vegetables. Greenhouses were shutting down. Hazelnut and walnut harvests continued with higher yields and smaller nuts. Some apples were still being picked along with a few winter pears. CLACKAMAS: Another fine fall week. Warm and dry until Saturday, one inch of rain in just a couple hours. A very heavy crop of Walnuts was coming down. Good soil moisture now for fall seeding. Great fall color but leaves were starting to fall. COOS/CURRY: Almost 3 inches of rain this week, but warm. Pasture grasses were green and growing. Low temperatures were 8 degrees below the 5-year average in Coos County, but over 4 degrees above the 5-year average in southern Curry County. High temperatures through the week were about 3 degrees above the 5-year average in Coos and about 5 degrees below the 5-year average in southern Curry. The fall precipitation has started, particularly in Curry. Cranberry harvest was in full swing and some hay producers were busy pulling irrigation pumps and preparing for winter operations. Bandon (Coos & Northern Curry): The low temperature for the period was 36.49 degrees, 8.06 degrees below the 5-year average. The high temperature for the period was 71.4 degrees, 2.7 degrees above the 5-year average. Precipitation for the period was 1.42 inches, 0.24 inches above the 5-year (including drought in 2004 & 2005) average for the week. Bandon ended the last weather year (9/30/09) 18.09 inches below the historical average. Precipitation for the Current weather year (began 10/09) stands at 1.48 inches, 2.59 inches below the 5 year average. Historical average precipitation through October is 4.07 inches. For 2009, adding final September precipitation to current month, the Bandon area is currently 20.68 inches below the long-term historical average. Brookings (Southern Curry): The low temperature for the period was 51.22 degrees, 4.35 degrees above the 5-year average. The high temperature for the period was 68.38 degrees, 5.69 degrees below the 5-year average. Precipitation for the period was 3.3 inches, compared to a 5-year (including drought in 2004 & 2005) average of 1.84 inches. Brookings ended the last weather year (9/30/09) 1.46 inches below the historical average. Precipitation for Current weather year precipitation (began 10/08) stands at 3.3 inches, 1.92 inches below the 5 year average. Historical average precipitation through October is 5.22 inches. For 2009, adding final September precipitation to current month, the Brookings area is currently 3.38 inches below the long-term historical average. DOUGLAS: The County received between 1 and 2 inches of rain this week. This was the first widespread and soaking rain of the fall season. The rain has been very helpful for fall seeded pastures, lawns, cover crops, etc. Winegrape harvest was winding down, about 85 percent complete with just a couple of late maturing varieties remaining. The rain has not caused much damage to grape quality, just a few harvest delays. Filbert harvest has also been slowed by the rain. With a few breaks in the recent wet spell coming late in the week and into the weekend, harvest progress should move forward again. JACKSON: Some fall grains were planted, and some ground preparation for planting was done. Rain during the week prevented hay making. JOSEPHINE: Mild temperatures prevailed all week, with heavy rain in the middle of the week. Overnight temperatures ranged from 40-50 degrees, and 60-80 degrees during the day. Leaves practically changed overnight, with acorns everywhere on ground. There were truck gardens, pumpkins and hayrides. Grapes were all in for most of growers with a very good yield. Growers were happy with volume and quality this year. MARION: There were several days of sun mixed with rain this week. Many fields were getting planted in anticipation of the rains. WASHINGTON: Corn was done. YAMHILL: There were showers off and on through the week, limiting some field work. Harvesting of apples and nuts continued. Wine grapes continued to be harvested this week. Hazelnut harvest continued. Fall copper sprays were being applied to tree fruits. Eastern Oregon HOOD RIVER: The week started out cold with seasonable temperatures returning by mid-week. Winter pear harvest wrapped up in the upper Hood River Valley, and harvest of late-season apples continued throughout the Valley. Postharvest orchard cleanup continued in many orchards throughout the Valley. LAKE: Received precipitation late in the week and over the weekend. Livestock producers started moving cattle off of rangeland allotments. MALHEUR: Rain fell Wednesday and Thursday, about 3/4 inch. Some field operations stopped, depending on location. Harvests were winding down: Potatoes were done, Onions almost done, sugarbeets started. Except for the rain showers, harvest conditions remained ideal. SHERMAN: Got a few showers this week with varying amounts depending on location. Direct seeders were seeding long shifts to catch up with conventional producers, but seeding date still trailing by 3 weeks. WALLOWA: Colder temperatures at the start of the week with some moisture turned into warmer temperatures towards the end of the week. WASCO: Cool nights and warm days prevailed. Winds were very mild and the fall foliage gained color in all agricultural areas. Fall grain planting continued all week. Fruit harvest was in the final cleanup stages. Cattle were grazing grain stubble fields. WEATHER DATA FOR SELECTED STATIONS IN OREGON, WEEK ENDING: OCTOBER 18, 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 : 45 65 57 +4 47 +25 2.67 1.46 6 6.30 0.62 111 20 BANDON 8/ : 36 71 57 +4 54 +26 1.42 0.60 5 2.57 -0.88 74 22 CRESCENT CITY : 47 70 58 +3 54 +12 2.09 1.11 4 2.70 -1.13 70 12 FLORENCE : 37 71 57 +3 51 +16 2.44 1.20 5 5.07 -0.14 97 13 NORTH BEND : 39 73 59 +4 62 +27 2.21 1.28 4 3.65 -0.13 97 16 TILLAMOOK : 34 68 58 +6 60 +38 0.92 -0.57 6 3.13 -4.03 44 18 WILLAMETTE : VALLEY : AURORA 8/ : 34 72 56 +4 47 +24 0.89 0.23 4 2.79 -0.53 84 16 CORVALLIS : 30 74 55 +3 45 +20 1.03 0.40 5 2.35 -0.55 81 16 DETROIT LAKE 8/ : 33 72 54 +7 35 +23 1.77 0.77 4 5.04 0.60 114 13 EUGENE : 30 77 56 +3 51 +20 0.90 0.23 4 2.45 -0.64 79 15 HILLSBORO : 33 66 54 +2 35 +12 1.00 0.41 4 2.52 -0.30 89 17 MCMINNVILLE : 36 71 55 +2 42 +16 0.43 -0.23 4 0.96 -2.16 31 9 PORTLAND : 42 71 57 +3 56 +23 0.62 0.07 5 2.15 -0.87 71 19 SALEM : 34 76 56 +4 49 +26 1.22 0.61 4 2.56 -0.35 88 14 SW VALLEYS : GRANTS PASS : 36 74 57 +1 51 +6 1.83 1.34 5 2.04 0.09 105 9 MEDFORD : 38 79 59 +4 63 +24 0.29 -0.01 3 0.45 -1.08 29 6 ROSEBURG : 36 77 58 +3 62 +19 1.38 0.91 5 2.55 0.41 119 10 NORTH CENTRAL : CONDON : 27 74 45 -5 16 +6 0.42 0.21 4 1.72 0.52 143 7 ECHO 8/ : 26 67 49 -4 22 +1 0.37 0.23 3 1.01 0.30 142 8 HEPPNER : 27 80 48 -5 23 +1 0.18 -0.03 2 1.00 -0.34 75 7 HERMISTON : 26 68 49 -4 23 +2 0.44 0.30 4 1.15 0.44 162 6 MADRAS 8/ : 24 75 47 -3 21 +4 0.53 0.39 2 1.15 0.29 134 6 MORO : 24 72 45 -6 12 +0 0.53 0.39 3 1.36 0.46 151 6 PARKDALE 8/ : 29 64 46 -6 8 -10 0.93 0.48 4 2.78 0.67 132 12 PENDLETON : 26 72 49 -5 23 -1 0.46 0.27 2 0.93 -0.07 93 5 PRAIRIE CITY 8/ : 24 75 47 -3 21 +4 0.53 0.39 2 1.15 0.29 134 6 THE DALLES : 33 69 50 +0 21 +7 0.42 0.27 4 0.87 -0.05 95 9 SOUTH CENTRAL : AGENCY LAKE 8/ : 21 72 47 +2 1 -6 0.46 0.17 2 0.51 -0.76 40 3 BEND : 20 72 46 -2 10 +0 0.64 0.50 2 1.04 0.28 137 3 BURNS : 19 74 47 +2 8 +3 0.78 0.64 3 0.92 0.00 100 7 CHRISTMAS VALLEY 8/ : 18 75 49 -1 11 -6 - -0.21 - 0.16 -0.91 15 2 KLAMATH FALLS : 30 71 50 +2 12 -4 0.25 0.03 2 0.25 -0.79 24 2 KLAMATH FALLS 8/ : 29 73 50 +2 14 -2 0.24 0.02 2 0.25 -0.79 24 3 LAKEVIEW : 26 72 48 -1 5 -7 0.29 0.03 3 0.48 -0.74 39 5 LORELLA 8/ : 25 75 51 +2 15 -1 0.52 0.30 3 0.56 -0.48 54 4 REDMOND : 20 78 46 -3 20 +7 0.47 0.35 2 0.83 0.19 130 3 WORDEN 8/ : 28 74 50 +1 10 -6 0.28 0.06 2 0.29 -0.75 28 3 NORTHEAST : BAKER CITY : 24 68 48 +2 15 +7 0.33 0.19 3 0.88 -0.22 80 7 JOSEPH : 20 70 44 +2 8 +7 0.25 -0.16 2 2.18 -0.14 94 6 LA GRANDE : 27 73 52 +3 32 +16 0.51 0.23 3 1.02 -0.58 64 5 UNION : 26 73 50 +3 26 +13 0.84 0.63 2 1.21 -0.37 77 6 SOUTHEAST : ONTARIO : 27 71 52 +2 31 +11 0.66 0.52 3 0.81 -0.02 98 5 ROME : 25 78 52 +3 32 +16 0.06 -0.07 3 0.54 -0.34 61 5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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.