or-crop-weather Oregon Crop Weather Released: April 9, 2012 Week ending: April 8, 2012 OR-CW0212 OREGON CROP WEATHER NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE USDA, NASS, Oregon Field Office Phone: 503-326-2131 Released: April 9, 2012 Toll Free: 1-800-338-2157 Week ending: April 8, 2012 Email: nass-or@nass.usda.gov Volume: 02-12 Internet: www.nass.usda.gov/or Weather: Temperatures for the week were below normal for most stations across the State. They were also below normal for the weather year so far. Precipitation for the week was above normal for almost all stations and below normal for none. For the weather season, almost all stations also report above normal precipitation. Farmers and ranchers, in aggregate, had few days suitable for field work, but they had more such days then last week. Wet conditions have slowed field work but with hopes of drier weather soon for western Oregon. March was a good snow pack month for eastern Oregon. Field Crops: Wet, cool weather may adversely detract from Willamette Valley small grain potential. Reports on clover for seed varied. In Umatilla County, spring seeding continued, with spring wheat seeding leading the way. Pea and corn seeding was planned for the coming week. Potatoes were about 50 percent planted. Onions planting was nearing its finish. Producers in the many wet areas were itching to get in the field. Fruits and Nuts: Wasco County sweet cherry buds were in the green-tip stage of development. Still await the bloom. Temperatures in Hood River remained above critical levels for orchard crops. At week's end, crop development in the lower Hood River Valley was as follows: d'Anjou pear at blossom buds exposed to first white (WSU stages 2 to 4); Red Delicious apple at half-inch green (WSU stage 3); Bing cherry at green tip to open cluster (WSU stages 3 to 5); Pinot noir grape at Eichhorn-Lorenz stage 2. In the Willamette Valley, Peaches were in bloom. The cool, wet weather has not been favorable for bee flights and successful pollination. Some early sweet cherry varieties were in the popcorn stage of bloom. Eastern Filbert Blight control sprays were applied. Prunes in some areas were in bloom but very spotty. Pears in southern Oregon were starting to need protection with some buds starting to show. In Douglas County, plums were moving past full bloom. Peaches, nectarines, and cherries were at full bloom. Pears were about 7-10 days away from full bloom. Apples and prunes were about 10-14 days away from full bloom. Expected freeze did not hit the Roseburg area Vegetables: It was still too early to determine if wet field conditions will affect planting of April green peas. In general, producers will delay planning vegetables if cool, wet conditions persist. Nurseries and Greenhouses: Greenhouses were busy getting spring starts ready for spring planting. Some early spring decorative starts were now at outlets. Nurseries also were very busy with sales of trees and shrubs. Cool, wet weather as slowed sales to local consumers. Tall shrubs shipped to market. Livestock, Range and Pasture: Cool soil temperatures have retarded pasture growth. Pastures were green or greening across the State. In Lake County, livestock producers were starting to turn out onto government allotments. Some had to haul water. Soil Moisture - Week Ending 04/08/12 ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Very : : : : short : Short : Adequate : Surplus ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Percent : Topsoil : 0 5 60 35 Subsoil : 5 5 62 28 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Progress - Week Ending 04/08/12 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : This : Last : Last : 5 year Crop : week : week : year : average -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Barley planted : 62 35 57 62 Barley emerged : 28 10 45 39 Spring wheat planted : 53 37 36 61 Spring wheat emerged : 23 15 14 26 : Days suitable for fieldwork : 3.2 1.3 3.4 4.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Condition - Week Ending 04/08/12 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Very : : : : Crop : poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Winter wheat : 0 10 29 50 11 Range and pasture : 6 18 44 30 2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Western Oregon COLUMBIA: Weather prospects much better for the next week. Should see big increase in pasture and grain growth. Bloom speeding up. DOUGLAS: Rains continued to delay field preparation for annual and perennial crops. There will be no spraying weeds or fungicides for orchards for at least another 10 days unless it is done by backpack sprayer. Plums moving past full bloom. Peaches, nectarines, and cherries were at full bloom. Pears were about 7-10 days away from full bloom. Apples and prunes about 10-14 days away from full bloom. Expected freeze did not hit the Roseburg area. Do not think that any part of Douglas County had serious cold. JACKSON: Fall planted grain crops were looking quite good. The nice spring rains helped crops along. Hay fields and pasture fields were getting started but were about 2 weeks behind. Peaches and apricots were in bloom even though there have been some quite cold nights. The dew point may have been good enough to have done some frost protection. Pears were starting to need protection with some buds starting to show. Vegetable gardeners were waiting for weather to get better. Some ground preparation being done as the rains will permit. Greenhouses were really busy getting spring starts ready for folks to do their spring planting. Some early spring decorative starts were now at outlets. Nurseries also were very busy with sales of trees and shrubs. There seems to be a good crop of lambs and calves in the pastures with their mothers. Lots of fertilizing of hay and pasture grounds. It is also a good time to get fences in shape for grazing times. This was quite a busy time for ranchers and farmers, getting things lined up and crops started. The rainy weather has slowed down some things, but there is always more to do than time will allow. JOSEPHINE: Kerby area of Josephine County had a wet, cold winter and spring has been much the same. Not a lot of activity here except for those who have livestock to tend. LANE: Cold weather again this week, with breaks of some sun. Peaches and prunes were in full bloom, and there was no freeze damage. Cherries and pears were in the white push phase of blooming. Apple buds were swelling. They look to be about one week later than normal. Snow was still on the foothills around Eugene and Springfield. Blueberry leaf buds expanded. Control for mummyberry will be starting around the end of April. Haskap berry blooms formed. Soils were very wet. Crops going in under plastic cover or cold frames. Transitioning cattle from feed to pasture grass. Some spring fertilization occurred. Some no till spring oats planted. Still too wet to plow. Farmers anxious to get some field work done. MARION: Drier weather pattern towards the end of the week gave producers an opportunity to put in some much needed field work. On average, the daytime temperature has been 10 degrees below normal with snow fall reported in the Cascade foothills late in the week. Wheat crop condition was marginal with areas inundated in water showing signs of stress. It was still too early to determine if wet field conditions will affect plantings of April green peas. Cool, wet weather slowed nursery sales for local gardening and landscaping. WASHINGTON: Standing water on low lying areas next to streams. Reports of debris in fields. Forested areas that were recently logged have suffered erosion due to excessive rainfall. Winter wheat has been fertilized, trying to recover from wet spring. Spring planting has been delayed due to cold, wet weather. Reports of crimson clover has failed. Red clover looking good. Grass for hay was growing well. Tall shrubs shipped to market. Poor range as wet weather retarded growth. High temperature 71 degrees, low 30 degrees. There were 3/4 inches of rain fall. YAMHILL: Peaches were in bloom. The cool, wet weather has not been favorable for bee flights and successful pollination. Some early sweet cherry varieties were in the popcorn stage of bloom. Eastern Filbert Blight control sprays were applied. Prunes in some areas in bloom but very spotty at this point. Dry end to week allowed for spraying of fields with swamp buggies. Still too wet for spring planting. Eastern Oregon BAKER/UNION: Not much change from last week, still getting snow and rain but it is supposed to warm up next week. Farmers were itching to get onto the fields for spring planting preparations. Snowpack just keeps getting better. GILLIAM: Snow on the 4th brought additional moisture to higher elevation parts. A hail storm later in week deposited a wet one-inch layer of slush over a narrow swath of the County. GRANT: One day of warm temperatures followed by 5 inches of snow and cold temperatures have done little to stimulate grass growth in pastures and range conditions. HOOD RIVER: Variable but seasonable weather conditions prevailed through the week. Temperatures dipped the morning of 4/7, but remained above critical levels for orchard crops. At week's end, crop development in the lower Hood River Valley was as follows: d'Anjou pear at blossom buds exposed to first white (WSU stages 2 to 4); Red Delicious apple at half-inch green (WSU stage 3); Bing cherry at green tip to open cluster (WSU stages 3 to 5); Pinot noir grape at Eichhorn-Lorenz stage 2. HARNEY: The Harney Basin snowpack was approximately 64 percent of the long term average. This was up a bit from previous estimates because of a relatively wet March. Spring snow events, such as the one last week, and associated cooler temperatures have helped hold the mountain snowpack. This should improve the effectiveness of the reduced flood irrigation the Basin will see this year. Cool conditions, however, were less favorable for making rangeland pastures ready for spring turnout. LAKE: Received significant precipitation during the week in the form of snow and rain. Livestock producers were starting to turn out onto government allotments. Some had to haul water. SHERMAN/WASCO: Wheat continued big break out, Rains early in the week led to some run off and high creeks but little erosion. Too wet to spray in Wasco County but several in Sherman County were able to get on fields. Huge hail storm went thru Saturday evening that crossed from Dufur NE to Rufus, but it was a small cloud that passed rapidly and left marble sized hail. Lightning and thunder accompanied, but again a small cloud. We stood on the deck and watched the hail but looking nearly straight up, one could clearly see stars. Range showing some greening, mainly of annuals as soil still too cold for much growth of good grasses, but stock seem to like it anyway. Alfalfa and grass forage were looking good but slow growing degree days have made for some concerns. Some early blossoming fruit trees from warmer weather a couple weeks ago. So far there has been no damaging frost. Sweet cherry buds were in the green-tip stage of development. Weather remains cool and unsettled. Bloom was potentially 10 days away. UMATILLA: Received welcomed rains early in the week, and temperatures began to warm towards the end of the week. This was welcomed, as average temperatures have been below normal, slowing spring growth. Spring seeding continued, with spring wheat seeding leading the way. Pea and corn seeding was planned for the coming week. Potatoes were about 50 percent planted. Onions were finishing up. Warm weather appears to be there for at least a brief stint. WALLOWA: March has been a great moisture month with snow and rain throughout the entire month. Snow pack was in good shape due to these events. Weather data for selected stations in Oregon, Week ending: April 8, 2012 (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 : 35 66 46 -2 6 -1 1.30 0.06 5 55.68 0.16 100 141 Bandon 8/ : 31 60 45 -3 - -7 1.68 0.46 4 54.75 4.23 108 127 Crescent City : 34 54 46 -5 - -21 1.16 -0.18 5 50.86 -5.91 90 92 Florence : 32 62 46 -3 3 -4 1.92 0.43 4 58.25 -6.46 90 122 North Bend : 36 57 46 -4 - -8 0.70 -0.59 2 32.79 -21.66 60 98 Tillamook : 32 70 48 +2 10 +3 1.25 -0.41 4 49.12 -24.64 67 140 WILLAMETTE : VALLEY : Aurora 8/ : 34 72 48 -1 10 -3 0.99 0.27 4 35.28 1.53 105 139 Corvallis : 32 68 46 -3 6 -6 0.90 0.19 4 38.55 2.05 106 134 Detroit Lake 8/ : 29 68 43 +2 3 +0 0.70 -0.49 5 80.56 23.54 141 127 Eugene : 33 68 46 -4 5 -9 0.69 -0.18 5 34.54 -7.69 82 108 Hillsboro : 29 70 47 -2 10 -3 0.33 -0.27 5 24.94 -6.66 79 115 McMinnville : 34 70 49 +0 11 -3 0.56 -0.16 5 33.67 -3.79 90 122 Portland : 31 68 48 -2 10 -4 0.77 0.14 4 30.12 0.65 102 120 Salem : 31 70 47 -2 7 -3 0.56 -0.10 4 38.01 4.95 115 117 SW VALLEYS : Grants Pass : 35 62 45 -7 - -24 0.30 -0.22 4 24.25 -3.25 88 94 Medford : 34 72 47 -4 5 -16 0.18 -0.12 5 12.44 -3.29 79 72 Roseburg : 34 67 47 -4 5 -16 0.41 -0.20 4 25.49 -2.42 91 101 NORTH CENTRAL : Condon : 24 65 40 -3 - -6 0.31 0.03 3 7.98 -1.83 81 67 Echo 8/ : 25 66 46 -5 - -18 0.18 -0.03 2 5.16 -1.64 76 68 Heppner : 28 67 43 -4 - -10 0.17 -0.17 2 5.88 -3.77 61 56 Hermiston : 27 68 47 -3 2 -16 0.10 -0.11 2 4.61 -2.19 68 58 Madras 8/ : 24 61 40 -6 - -13 0.13 -0.08 2 4.71 -2.74 63 59 Moro : 24 58 40 -5 - -7 0.27 0.06 2 7.80 -0.67 92 57 Parkdale 8/ : 24 61 41 -8 - -14 0.10 -0.35 2 40.26 12.96 147 117 Pendleton : 27 71 46 -4 5 -9 0.27 -0.01 1 7.28 -1.55 82 60 Prairie City 8/ : 24 61 40 -6 - -13 0.13 -0.08 2 4.71 -2.74 63 59 The Dalles : 28 65 47 +2 3 -5 0.06 -0.15 1 10.37 0.43 104 74 SOUTH CENTRAL : Agency Lake 8/ : 28 59 40 +1 - -3 - -0.24 - 11.14 -1.56 88 63 Bend : 21 60 39 -4 - -7 - -0.14 - 6.05 -2.53 71 28 Burns : 18 68 38 -3 - -7 0.20 0.04 1 6.09 -0.57 91 50 Christmas Valley 8/ : 15 64 36 -8 - -9 0.10 -0.08 3 3.86 -4.97 44 55 Klamath Falls : 19 62 38 -5 - -7 0.09 -0.12 1 5.08 -5.44 48 49 Klamath Falls 8/ : 20 62 38 -5 - -7 0.11 -0.10 2 6.59 -3.93 63 66 Lakeview 8/ : 13 64 35 -7 - -7 0.19 -0.09 3 5.79 -5.51 51 67 Lorella 8/ : 20 64 39 -4 - -7 0.14 -0.07 3 6.50 -4.02 62 60 Redmond : 13 63 38 -5 1 -6 0.09 -0.05 1 4.94 -0.79 86 40 Worden 8/ : 23 59 38 -5 - -7 0.04 -0.17 2 5.68 -4.84 54 56 NORTHEAST : Baker City : 17 66 37 -7 - -7 0.14 -0.03 3 3.81 -2.31 62 48 Joseph : 18 58 34 -6 - -2 0.55 0.13 4 8.07 -9.81 45 87 La Grande : 21 63 38 -7 - -8 0.01 -0.34 1 8.18 -3.72 69 75 Imbler 8/ : 24 64 41 -4 - -7 0.32 -0.10 2 11.36 -6.25 65 83 SOUTHEAST : Ontario : 21 71 44 -5 2 -16 0.08 -0.07 1 5.16 -2.01 72 45 Rome : 13 73 38 -7 - -7 - -0.18 - 4.10 -0.87 82 38 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Summary based on NWS data. Copyright 2012: 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, 2011. 6/ DFN=Departure from normal (using 1961-1990 normal period). 7/ Precipitation days = Days with precipitation of 0.01 inch or more. 8/ Agri-Met weather stations.