OR-crop-weather Oregon Crop Weather Released: April 17, 2012 Week ending: April 15, 2012 OR-CW0312 OREGON CROP WEATHER NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE USDA, NASS, Oregon Field Office Phone: 503-326-2131 Released: April 17, 2012 Toll Free: 1-800-338-2157 Week ending: April 15, 2012 Email: nass-or@nass.usda.gov Volume: 03-12 Internet: www.nass.usda.gov/or Weather: There was normal weather this past week. Average temperature for the State was just slightly above normal at 48.2 degrees. Low temperatures ranged from 41 degrees in Roseburg, down to 21 degrees in Bend. High temperatures ranged from 55 degrees in Florence, up to 75 degrees in Rome. All but two stations reported measurable precipitation, but overall the amount was about normal for this time of year. The Moro station reported the most at 1.79 inches, which is 1.58 inches above normal for that station. A little more snow accumulation was welcomed in higher elevations. The Northeast was a little warmer and drier compared to the rest of the State this week. Field Crops: Warmer temperatures yielded healthy wheat growth in north central Oregon for elevations below 1600 feet. Elevations above that were still playing catch up and have more water standing, delaying spraying. In Malheur planting for sugar beets were done, potato planting started. Too early for corn planted there. Umatilla County corn and pea planters hit the fields with spring planting. Wheat continued to grow well there, but all crops could use more moisture. In the north Willamette Valley, grass for seed was showing signs of recovery from the cold, wet spring. Some wheat may be lost due to winter and spring flooding. Red clover was growing well. In the south Willamette Valley, excessive spring rain has slowed fertilizer applications on grass seed and grain crops. Both were in fair shape considering the constant rains there. Relief needs to come as they head toward May. In southern Oregon, conditions were wet and cool, which delayed field work. Planted crops were looking good, but they could use some warm, sunny days. Hay crops should do well with some warmer weather. Fruits and Nuts: Cherries and apricots in Wasco County started to bloom. At week's end, crop development in the lower Hood River Valley was as follows: d'Anjou pear at full white to first bloom (WSU stages 5 and 6); Red Delicious apple at tight cluster (WSU stage 4); Bing cherry at first white to first bloom (WSU stages 6 and 7); Pinot noir grape still at Eichhorn-Lorenz stage 2. In the Willamette Valley, peaches were in bloom and nearing petal fall. Blueberries and gooseberries had leafed out. Asian Pears were blooming, and Bartlett's were budding. Gravenstein and apples were starting to bloom. Table grapes were at bud break. Control sprays for Eastern Filbert Blight continued to be applied. Prunes were in full bloom in the southern Willamette. In the Rogue Valley, peaches and apricots were about done with blooming. Some pear trees were in bloom, with some spraying done on those that were. Table grapes were sprayed with worries of a repeat of high mildew last fall. Wine grapes were at wooly bud stage in Douglas County. Bees were out throughout the State on some of the warm days. Vegetables: Some soil vegetables had come up in the Willamette Valley, but there was still a lot to be planted due to the wet soil. Garlic stood about 8 - 12 inches tall. Some growers were trying to plant sweet corn. Initial moldboard plowing on vegetable fields as weather permits. Asparagus in southern Oregon was up and will soon be cut. Onion planting in Malheur County was done. Nurseries and Greenhouses: Nurseries were digging, balling, and shipping ornamental trees and shrubs. Greenhouses were quite busy with spring starts, now mostly early ornamentals. Livestock, Range and Pasture: Pastures were putting on growth with warmer temperatures in areas of lower elevation. Higher elevations still had slow grass growth in ranges and pastures. In most parts of Umatilla County, cattle producers were about 10 days from turning animals out to grass. Lots of spring lambing and calving. Soil Moisture - Week Ending 04/15/12 ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Very : : : : short : Short : Adequate : Surplus ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Percent : Topsoil : 0 6 63 31 Subsoil : 5 6 59 30 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Progress - Week Ending 04/15/12 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : This : Last : Last : 5 year Crop : week : week : year : average -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Barley planted : 67 62 57 72 Barley emerged : 35 28 47 48 Spring wheat planted : 70 53 44 71 Spring wheat emerged : 35 23 19 35 : Days suitable for fieldwork : 4.6 3.2 3.0 4.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Condition - Week Ending 04/15/12 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Very : : : : Crop : poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Winter wheat : 0 8 23 53 16 Range and pasture : 1 14 38 43 4 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Western Oregon CLACKAMAS: Fertilizer and herbicides were applied as weather permitted. Pasture and hay fields were putting on growth with recent warmer temperatures. Initial moldboard plowing on vegetable fields as weather permits. COOS/CURRY: Mostly cool and wet weather continued through the period, with a nice spring day on Saturday and mostly dry on Sunday. Livestock remained mostly off over-wet bottom pastures and uplands were showing signs of over- use and sacrifice due to non-use of the bottoms. Spring feeder cattle turn out will most likely be delayed a couple of weeks due to the continuing wet weather and soggy pastures. Bandon (Coos and Northern Curry): Official Low temperature for the period was 38.93 degrees, 2.39 degrees below the 5-year average. High temperature for the period was 57.08 degrees, 4.97 degrees below the 5-year average. Temperatures inland (without the moderating influence of the ocean) were somewhat cooler. Precipitation was 0.86 inches, which is 0.11 inches below the 5-year average. Weather year 2012 (began 10/1/2011) precipitation stood at 54.97 inches, 9.46 inches above the 5-year average. Average precipitation through the month of April is 52.85 inches. Brookings (Southern Curry): Low temperature for the period was 38.79 degrees, 0.35 degrees above the 5-year average. High temperature was 62.34 degrees, 0.83 degrees below the 5-year average. Precipitation was 1.38 inches, compared to a 5-year average of 1.78 inches. Weather year 2012 (began 10/1/2011) precipitation stood at 76.04 inches, 8.59 inches above the 5-year average. Historical average precipitation through April is 64.54 inches. DOUGLAS: The rains took a break for about four days at the end of last week and weekend but started up again. There were very few fields that could be entered with equipment, making spring spraying nearly impossible. We will need about 7-10 dry days in a row to get activity started. Plum orchards were at petal fall, peaches were nearing petal fall, and cherries were at full bloom to petal fall. Pears were at full bloom and apples were at pink stages with bloom about a week away. Wine grapes were at wooly bud stage. JACKSON: This was another week of wet cool weather. Weather conditions were mostly cloudy with periods of rain, heavy at times, with some areas of hail on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. A very soggy week delayed many farmers from planting spring crops. Planted crops were looking good, but could use some warm sunny days. Hay crops should do well with some warmer weather. Peaches and apricots were about done with blooming. There were some days that allowed the bees to do their work. Some pear trees were in bloom, but many were just getting started. There was some spraying on those that were in bloom. Not much to report on vegetables since the soil was too wet to work. There were some onions planted. Greenhouses were quite busy with spring starts, now mostly early ornamentals. Nurseries were getting out bare root tree and shrubs. April 15th is a usual start-up pasture time, but there were some ranchers still doing some supplemental hay feeding. There was a lot of spring lambing and calving. Some valley irrigation districts had started running water. JOSEPHINE: No big surprises for the week. Overnight temperatures ranged from 32-48 degrees with daytime temperatures ranging 34-58 degrees. Precipitation was 1.5 inches. Gusty winds some days. Hay growers were fertilizing. Ornamental shrubs, bulbs, and some early perennials were in full bloom. It has been a really nice spring after the delay from late freezing weather. Animals were doing well, with some importing of hay. Asparagus was up and will be cutting this week. Table grapes were sprayed with worries of a repeat of high mildew last fall. LANE: Excessive spring rain has slowed fertilizer application on grass seed and grain crops. Both were in fair shape considering the constant rains. Relief needs to come as we head towards May. More rain, sleet, hail, and snow this past week. Soil still very wet but each day it dries out more. Peaches and prunes were in full bloom. Cherries and pears had white showing on the bloom. Things look about 6 days slower than normal. Garlic was 8-12 inches tall. Some soil vegetables were up, but a lot have not been planted due to the very wet soil. LINN/BENTON: The Willamette Valley continued to receive more than normal rain fall. Local farmers have been using marginal dry days to get out and apply fertilizer and chemicals to their grass crops. WASHINGTON: Grass for seed was showing signs of recovery from the cold wet spring. Some wheat may be lost due to spring and winter serious flooding. Red clover was growing well. Blueberries and gooseberries leafed out. Table grapes were at bud break. Asian Pears were blooming. Barttlet pears were budding. Gravenstein apples were starting to bloom. Growers were trying to plant sweet corn. Nurseries were digging, balling, and shipping ornamental trees and shrubs. Livestock were holding on well. Pastures were beginning to grow. High temperature 64 degrees, low 37 degrees. Rain fall 0.6 inches. Thunderstorm and snow on Tuesday, showers on Wednesday. YAMHILL: Some ground work was done this week but very limited. Spraying was done when the wind would allow. Control sprays for Eastern Filbert Blight continued. Some cherries were blooming. Peach bloom has been spread out over a long period due to the cool weather. Eastern Oregon CROOK/DESCHUTES/JEFFERSON: Typical reports came in this week on some crop loss over the dormant winter months. GRANT: A typical spring, cool and wet. Cool weather was not very conducive for grass growth on the range and pastures. HARNEY: Received some welcomed rain in the Basin and snow at higher elevations during the week. Temperatures were near normal. Some cattle were turned out onto rangeland pastures. HOOD RIVER: Variable but seasonable weather conditions prevailed through the week. Temperatures dipped the morning of 4/13, 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 full white to first bloom (WSU stages 5 and 6); Red Delicious apple at tight cluster (WSU stage 4); Bing cherry at first white to first bloom (WSU stages 6 and 7); Pinot noir grape at Eichhorn-Lorenz stage 2. MALHEUR: Weather allowed farmers to get to spring work in a timely manner. A few passing storms gave a good amount of moisture. A few farmers reported having winter wheat losses over the winter months. Onion and sugarbeet planting was done. Spring wheat and barley could still have some planting left. Potato planting started, but too early for corn planting. Water in all the main ditches. So far this spring, high winds have been the main factor. High temperature for the week ranged from 60-73 degrees, low temperature from 35-44 degrees. Normal is 48 and 61 degrees. Rain was 0.03 inches, some wind. SHERMAN/WASCO: Week was full of warmer days and growth. Wheat crop thoroughly enjoyed warm weather and showed it. However, upper elevations (above 1600 feet) still playing catch up and have more water standing in crop and in fallow ground, delaying spraying on these pieces. Spraying in lower elevation well under way and this was a nice week to do so. Earlier storm of previous week raised water in creeks and had some serious road conditions especially where water ran off of CRP ground. Cherry and apricot trees were blooming. Bees were working. Week was full of warmer days and growth UMATILLA: Temperatures continued to warm up this week, prompting grass and crop growth. Corn and pea planters hit the fields and began with spring seeding. In most parts of the County, cattle producers were about 10 days away from turning out to grass. Wheat continued to grow well, but all crops could use more moisture. WALLOWA: Warmer, dryer days allowed producers to get in some of their fields for planting or preparation. Others were still waiting for their fields to dry out before they can proceed with spring crop activities. Soil moisture appears to be in good shape for most of the County. Weather data for selected stations in Oregon, Week ending: April 15, 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 : 40 61 50 +2 4 -3 0.02 -1.09 1 55.70 -0.93 98 142 Bandon 8/ : 39 57 49 +0 3 -4 0.86 -0.19 7 55.61 4.04 108 134 Crescent City : 37 57 49 -1 5 -16 1.06 -0.03 5 51.92 -5.94 90 97 Florence : 34 55 48 -2 - -12 0.59 -0.68 5 58.84 -7.14 89 127 North Bend : 39 57 49 +0 3 -11 0.36 -0.76 4 33.15 -22.42 60 102 Tillamook : 39 64 51 +4 9 +2 0.13 -1.31 3 49.25 -25.95 65 143 WILLAMETTE : VALLEY : Aurora 8/ : 36 65 51 +3 13 -1 0.45 -0.20 4 35.73 1.33 104 143 Corvallis : 33 65 51 +2 9 -5 1.07 0.47 5 39.62 2.52 107 139 Detroit Lake 8/ : 34 69 48 +6 5 -2 0.32 -0.72 3 80.88 22.82 139 130 Eugene : 37 65 51 +2 11 -8 1.16 0.42 4 35.70 -7.27 83 112 Hillsboro : 34 66 51 +3 13 -1 0.46 -0.05 4 25.40 -6.71 79 119 McMinnville : 36 65 52 +3 16 +1 0.47 -0.12 4 34.14 -3.91 90 126 Portland : 39 67 53 +3 24 +4 0.50 -0.06 2 30.62 0.59 102 122 Salem : 35 65 51 +4 14 +0 0.44 -0.13 4 38.45 4.82 114 121 SW VALLEYS : Grants Pass : 34 67 50 -3 11 -19 0.90 0.47 4 25.15 -2.78 90 98 Medford : 38 66 51 +1 16 -9 0.89 0.61 3 13.33 -2.68 83 75 Roseburg : 41 64 52 +2 17 -9 0.86 0.32 5 26.35 -2.10 93 106 NORTH CENTRAL : Condon : 30 70 47 +4 8 +1 0.32 0.03 2 8.30 -1.80 82 69 Echo 8/ : 27 71 51 +0 16 -8 0.01 -0.15 1 5.17 -1.79 74 69 Heppner : 30 69 50 +3 11 -3 0.34 0.06 3 6.22 -3.71 63 59 Hermiston : 28 71 51 +1 14 -10 0.03 -0.13 1 4.64 -2.32 67 59 Madras 8/ : 30 65 47 +1 3 -11 0.54 0.38 3 5.25 -2.36 69 62 Moro : 29 65 48 +3 7 +0 1.79 1.58 3 9.59 0.91 110 60 Parkdale 8/ : 28 65 47 -2 5 -12 0.04 -0.36 2 40.30 12.60 145 119 Pendleton : 32 69 51 +2 13 -8 0.41 0.15 3 7.69 -1.40 85 63 Prairie City 8/ : 30 65 47 +1 3 -11 0.54 0.38 3 5.25 -2.36 69 62 The Dalles : 32 72 55 +8 36 +22 - -0.21 - 10.37 0.22 102 74 SOUTH CENTRAL : Agency Lake 8/ : 34 59 44 +4 - -7 0.56 0.35 4 11.70 -1.21 91 67 Bend : 21 63 43 +0 - -7 0.32 0.18 1 6.37 -2.35 73 29 Burns : 24 66 44 +3 - -7 0.22 0.08 3 6.31 -0.49 93 53 Christmas Valley 8/ : 23 63 42 -4 - -14 0.17 0.03 3 4.03 -4.94 45 58 Klamath Falls : 27 61 42 -3 - -7 0.47 0.28 4 5.55 -5.16 52 53 Klamath Falls 8/ : 28 61 42 -3 - -7 0.41 0.22 4 7.00 -3.71 65 70 Lakeview 8/ : 24 61 41 -2 - -7 0.10 -0.18 3 5.89 -5.69 51 70 Lorella 8/ : 25 65 43 -2 - -7 0.28 0.09 3 6.77 -3.94 63 63 Redmond : 26 68 45 +2 - -7 0.60 0.46 4 5.54 -0.33 94 44 Worden 8/ : 30 59 43 -2 - -7 0.51 0.32 3 6.18 -4.53 58 58 NORTHEAST : Baker City : 22 71 47 +3 - -7 0.04 -0.13 2 3.85 -2.44 61 50 Joseph : 28 68 47 +7 7 +0 - -0.42 - 8.07 -10.23 44 87 La Grande : 30 73 51 +5 16 +2 0.45 0.10 2 8.63 -3.62 70 77 Imbler 8/ : 32 73 50 +5 10 -2 0.24 -0.18 2 11.60 -6.43 64 85 SOUTHEAST : Ontario : 34 73 53 +3 24 -2 0.17 0.03 3 5.33 -1.98 73 48 Rome : 25 75 46 +0 4 -10 0.11 -0.03 1 4.21 -0.90 82 39 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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.