OR-crop-weather Oregon Crop Weather Released: April 23, 2012 Week ending: April 22, 2012 OR-CW0412 OREGON CROP WEATHER NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE USDA, NASS, Oregon Field Office Phone: 503-326-2131 Released: April 23, 2012 Toll Free: 1-800-338-2157 Week ending: April 22, 2012 Email: nass-or@nass.usda.gov Volume: 04-12 Internet: www.nass.usda.gov/or Weather: The week started out wet and cooler, but got unseasonably warm over the weekend. All but one station had higher than normal temperatures, with the State average being five degrees above normal at 52.5 degrees. Low temperatures ranged from 46 degrees in Crescent City and Medford, down to 24 degrees in Redmond. High temperatures ranged from 60 degrees in Crescent City, up to 89 degrees in Medford. All 43 stations reported measurable precipitation with half of those receiving more than 0.5 inches. The State average for the week was 4 inches above normal. Astoria reported the most at 3.8 inches, which is 2.8 inches above normal for the week. Overall, the State is still 2.3 inches below the normal season accumulation. In Klamath County, after a mostly dry winter, spring brought snow pack up to almost normal. Water deliveries may be close to normal for the year. The week brought spring like weather. Favorable temperatures during the week with two days in the 70's Field Crops: Wheat benefited from rain in north central and northwest Oregon. That coupled with warmer temperatures gave even the higher elevation crop a great boost. Some planting of grain crops in the Klamath area began. Heavy rain has continued to curtail spring planting in the south Willamette Valley. Washington County winter wheat was jointing, fertilizer and herbicide applications were being applied. Weed spraying in winter wheat, spot spraying in grass fields. Spring wheat and spring oats were being planted as weather permitted. Crimson and red clovers were beginning to put on some growth with recent warm temperatures. No insect or disease pressure so far. Established grass seed crops have been fertilized and herbicides applied. Growth looks good at this point. Little stripe rust pressure thus far reported for various regions. Fruits and Nuts: Fruit trees were in their various stages of bloom throughout the State, the warm temperatures at the end of the week accelerated development. Growers expected that their fruits were safe from freeze damage, but still had some concerns of damaging rain and hail. The improved temperatures also allowed for some spraying and mowing. Plums had set fruit in Douglas County, and peaches were at petal fall. Vineyards were pruning in the Rogue Valley. Brown rot control sprays were applied to stone fruit in the Willamette Valley. Hazelnut orchards were being cleaned of trimmings, mowed, and sprayed for Eastern Filbert Blight. Vegetables: Some ground was being worked for vegetable planting, although some soil was still quite damp. Early onions and peas were planted, along with other vegetables that could endure possible frosts. Garlic was doing very well. Some transplants of cole crops were being planted. Nurseries and Greenhouses: Greenhouse herbs were abundant and some early vegetables were out, but still too wet and cold for most vegetables. They were also busy with getting out spring decorative plant starts. Nurseries were busy with sales of balled and bare root trees and shrubs. Potted evergreen shrubs were moved and ornamental trees were being shipped. Livestock, Range and Pasture: Warmer weather and precipitation has improved pasture conditions. Cattle were turned out. Cows were blissfully grazing the green spring grasses. Soil Moisture - Week Ending 04/22/12 ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Very : : : : short : Short : Adequate : Surplus ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Percent : Topsoil : 0 6 65 29 Subsoil : 5 5 68 22 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Progress - Week Ending 04/22/12 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : This : Last : Last : 5 year Crop : week : week : year : average -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Barley planted : 76 67 67 79 Barley emerged : 42 35 50 57 Spring wheat planted : 83 70 66 82 Spring wheat emerged : 46 35 24 46 : Days suitable for fieldwork : 4.1 4.6 3.8 4.8 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Condition - Week Ending 04/22/12 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Very : : : : Crop : poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Winter wheat : 0 8 22 53 17 Range and pasture : 1 13 39 40 7 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Western Oregon COLUMBIA: Much better weather, especially over the weekend and into early next week. Lots of work got done. COOS/CURRY: Mostly cool and wet weather continued through the period, with periods of heavy rain during the week, especially in southern Curry. Weather turned nice for the weekend, with only a trace of precipitation Saturday and Sunday for the entire south coast. Most livestock still remained off over-wet bottom pastures and uplands were still showing signs of over-use and sacrifice due to non-use of the bottoms. Spring feeder cattle turn-out will definitely 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 36.26 degrees, 0.17 degrees above the 5-year average. High temperature for the period was 64.45 degrees, 3.43 degrees above the 5-year average. Precipitation for the period was 0.88 inches, which is 0.03 inches below the 5-year average for the week. Weather year 2012 (began 10/1/2011) precipitation stands at 55.85 inches, 9.43 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 46.16 degrees, 6.77 degrees above the 5-year average. High temperature for the period was 62.10 degrees, 0.83 degrees below the 5-year average. Precipitation for the period was 4.97 inches, compared to a 5-year average of 1.62 inches. Weather year 2012 (began 10/1/2011) precipitation stands at 81.01 inches, 11.95 inches above the 5-year average. Historical average precipitation through April is 64.54 inches. DOUGLAS: Wet, cool weather continued all week keeping farmers out of their fields. Much nicer weather over the weekend allowed some opportunities for orchard and vineyard owners to spray fungicides and weeds, and do some mowing. Apple orchards were in full bloom, pears were at full bloom to petal fall. Plums have set fruit, prunes were at full bloom, and peaches were at petal fall. So far temperatures have been above freezing during bloom for all deciduous trees and pollination is going fine despite the wet weather. JACKSON: The first of the week was quite wet from some good showers, but cleared up for the weekend. A few more dry days and field work should get started again. There was still some delay in spring planting. Field crops that were already in the ground were looking quite good. Hay and pasture fields were getting off to a good start. Apple, pear, and plum trees were in bloom. Some spraying for codling moth, trees were in open bloom. Vineyard operations were pruning. Some ground was being worked for vegetable planting, although some soil was still quite damp. Early onions and peas were planted, along with other vegetables that could handle possible frosts. Greenhouses were really busy getting out spring decorative plant starts and some early vegetables. Nurseries were busy with sales of balled and bear root trees and shrubs. Most livestock were out on pastures. The spring rains with some recent warm sunny days really got pasture up and growing. Lots of young livestock were in the pastures with their mothers. JOSEPHINE: It was a beautiful week with unseasonable high temperatures causing quick snow melt. Overnight temperatures ranged from 40-50 degrees with daytime temperatures between 50-80 degrees. Almost 2 inches of rain for the week mainly in the evenings. Farmers and ranchers were playing catch up on chores undone over the wet, cool winter. Fertilizing, spraying, clean-up, planting, pruning, and plowing were some major activities. LANE: The continued rain had made field operations difficult. Very few spring plantings of any crop have been possible. Conditions dried and warmed up late in the week, first indication of real spring weather. Grass seed fertilizer was winding down. Very little rust found on grass or wheat. Septoria in wheat was bad as it is transmitted by splashing rain drops. Cherries and pears were blooming. Peaches and prunes did not have very good pollination due to rain. Hazelnuts were leafing out. There were some signs that Bartlett pears will have a heavy infection of coastal cedar rust with pink spots on the bloom. Apples were pushing buds. Garlic was doing very well. Soil was still very wet. Some garden peas were going in. Transplants of cole crop type plants being planted in low numbers. We were still pretty close to normal timing this year. Looking forward to parts of four days with sunshine. LINN/BENTON: Heavy rain during part of the week prevented farmers from getting out onto their fields. With the nicer weather farmers were getting fields worked and planted. Some of the spring crops spray applications were completed. Bees were placed in crops for pollination. WASHINGTON: Winter wheat was jointing, fertilizer and herbicide applications were applied. Little stripe rust pressure thus far. Septoria was present in most fields. Weed spraying in winter wheat, spot spraying in grass fields. Spring wheat and spring oats were being planted as weather permitted. Crimson and red clovers were beginning to put on some growth with recent warm temperatures. No insect or disease pressure so far. Established grass seed crops have been fertilized and herbicides applied. Growth looks good at this point. Cleaning trimmings and mowing filbert orchards. Greenhouse herbs were abundant, too cold and too wet for vegetables. Moving potted evergreen shrubs, digging, burlap balling and shipping ornamental trees. Pasture dried some and grass flourishing, rotational grazing in some operations. High temperature 74.8 degrees, low 35 degrees. Rainfall 0.4 inches. Happy two days of over 70 degrees. YAMHILL: Prunes were in full bloom. Cherries were blooming. Brown rot control sprays were applied to stone fruit. Eastern Filbert Blight control sprays were applied to hazelnuts. Eastern Oregon HOOD RIVER: The week started cool and wet and ended dry and very warm. The warm temperatures over the weekend accelerated fruit tree flower development. At week's end, crop development in the lower Hood River Valley was as follows: d'Anjou pear at full bloom (WSU stage 7); Red Delicious apple at first pink to first bloom (WSU stages 5 to 7); Bing cherry at full bloom (WSU stage 8); Pinot noir grape at Eichhorn-Lorenz stage 3. KLAMATH: After a mostly dry winter, spring brought snow pack up to almost normal. Water deliveries may be close to normal for the year. The week brought spring like weather. Favorable temperatures during the week with two days in the 70's. Spring work was well underway and some planting of grain crops had begun. A limited amount of irrigation also began. LAKE: Currently the County is at 80 percent of average for precipitation. Warmer weather and precipitation has improved pasture conditions. Spring land tillage work has started in portions of the County. MALHEUR: Temperatures for W/E 4-22-12 have been close to normal of high 63 and low of 40. Exceptions were 20th and 21st when highs were 77 and 82. Rain in form of scattered showers was 1/4 inch. Potato planting, irrigation, and spraying were the main concerns now. Cattle were being turned out. Malheur County received temperatures rising to the mid-80s towards the end of the week. Water was released for irrigation at the being of the week. Producers were very busy trying to finish all spring farming practices. SHERMAN: Couple of nice showers this week shut down some field spraying but the rain combined with warm temperatures gave the wheat crop a great boost. Even the higher elevations showed dramatic improvement this week as soils warmed and puddles soaked in. No stripe rust reported to date. UMATILLA: Heavy rains in the beginning of the week were welcomed by farmers. Sun and warmer temperatures at the end of the week were expected to continue until mid-next week, and were welcomed by farmers who still needed spray days. Pasture grass growth was turning on, and many ranches were turning cattle out to grass. Peas and corn continued to be planted. Cherry and apple trees were in full bloom and expected to be "safe" from freeze damage. Farmers were still concerned about rain and hail though. WALLOWA: Warmer temperatures and rain throughout the week were helping all aspects of spring ground preparation and planting. Continued warm temperatures will help the fall wheat shake out of its winter sleep. Lower temperatures were not helping at all. WASCO: Fruit trees were all in bloom. Seven good working days with little wind was good for spraying in both the fruit and the wheat fields. Spring work in full swing. Cows were blissfully grazing the green spring grasses. All was well in Lake Wobegon. Weather data for selected stations in Oregon, Week ending: April 22, 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 : 36 68 50 +2 9 +2 3.82 2.83 5 59.52 1.90 103 147 Bandon 8/ : 36 64 52 +3 18 +4 0.88 -0.02 7 56.49 4.02 108 141 Crescent City : 46 60 51 +1 13 -11 1.98 1.06 4 53.90 -4.88 92 101 Florence : 39 68 52 +3 19 +5 2.50 1.39 5 61.34 -5.75 91 132 North Bend : 41 64 53 +4 24 +10 0.96 -0.01 3 34.11 -22.43 60 105 Tillamook : 34 70 51 +4 21 +14 2.23 0.96 5 51.48 -24.99 67 148 WILLAMETTE : VALLEY : Aurora 8/ : 39 81 53 +4 31 +11 1.25 0.65 6 36.98 1.98 106 149 Corvallis : 35 80 54 +5 36 +19 0.89 0.35 5 40.51 2.87 108 144 Detroit Lake 8/ : 40 85 52 +9 32 +25 3.07 2.14 5 83.95 24.96 142 135 Eugene : 39 78 56 +6 48 +27 0.91 0.26 3 36.61 -7.01 84 115 Hillsboro : 33 82 52 +3 29 +10 0.68 0.25 5 26.08 -6.46 80 124 McMinnville : 38 79 54 +4 36 +15 0.90 0.39 4 35.04 -3.52 91 130 Portland : 40 82 54 +4 39 +16 1.24 0.72 5 31.86 1.31 104 127 Salem : 37 80 55 +6 40 +25 1.13 0.63 3 39.58 5.45 116 124 SW VALLEYS : Grants Pass : 41 86 57 +4 53 +17 0.33 -0.03 5 25.48 -2.81 90 103 Medford : 46 89 60 +9 69 +39 0.45 0.18 4 13.78 -2.50 85 79 Roseburg : 42 86 59 +8 68 +40 0.51 0.03 4 26.86 -2.07 93 110 NORTH CENTRAL : Condon : 30 75 50 +5 16 +9 0.50 0.22 5 8.80 -1.58 85 74 Echo 8/ : 36 81 54 +3 36 +5 0.32 0.18 4 5.49 -1.61 77 73 Heppner : 34 75 51 +3 23 +4 0.58 0.30 5 6.77 -3.44 66 64 Hermiston : 33 82 54 +2 36 +5 0.44 0.30 4 5.08 -2.02 72 63 Madras 8/ : 30 82 52 +5 30 +10 0.12 -0.02 3 5.37 -2.38 69 65 Moro : 30 74 50 +3 14 +0 0.19 0.03 5 8.11 -0.73 92 65 Parkdale 8/ : 31 82 50 +0 23 +2 1.25 0.90 5 41.55 13.50 148 124 Pendleton : 35 80 54 +3 34 +8 1.07 0.86 4 8.76 -0.54 94 67 Prairie City 8/ : 30 82 52 +5 30 +10 0.12 -0.02 3 5.37 -2.38 69 65 The Dalles : 36 87 55 +8 44 +30 0.16 0.01 5 10.53 0.23 102 79 SOUTH CENTRAL : Agency Lake 8/ : 35 78 51 +10 24 +17 0.21 0.02 4 11.91 -1.19 91 71 Bend : 30 84 50 +6 22 +13 0.04 -0.10 1 7.41 -1.45 84 31 Burns : 29 83 50 +8 23 +16 0.40 0.26 5 6.71 -0.23 97 58 Christmas Valley 8/ : 25 83 50 +4 17 +3 0.17 0.03 3 4.20 -4.91 46 61 Klamath Falls : 29 81 52 +7 25 +11 0.11 -0.03 3 5.66 -5.19 52 56 Klamath Falls 8/ : 28 80 52 +7 27 +13 0.13 -0.01 5 7.13 -3.72 66 75 Lakeview 8/ : 31 80 51 +7 19 +12 0.07 -0.21 3 5.96 -5.90 50 73 Lorella 8/ : 28 82 51 +6 23 +9 0.16 0.02 4 6.93 -3.92 64 67 Redmond : 24 86 53 +9 36 +26 0.06 -0.06 2 5.60 -0.39 93 46 Worden 8/ : 29 79 52 +7 29 +15 0.08 -0.06 2 6.26 -4.59 58 60 NORTHEAST : Baker City : 28 81 49 +3 19 +8 0.51 0.30 4 4.36 -2.14 67 54 Joseph : 33 70 47 +5 10 +4 0.56 0.14 4 8.63 -10.09 46 91 La Grande : 34 84 51 +4 32 +18 0.66 0.34 2 9.29 -3.28 74 79 Imbler 8/ : 33 83 51 +5 28 +14 0.90 0.50 5 12.50 -5.93 68 90 SOUTHEAST : Ontario : 35 86 56 +4 47 +14 0.25 0.11 5 5.58 -1.87 75 53 Rome : 32 82 53 +6 26 +8 0.10 -0.05 3 4.31 -0.95 82 42 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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.