OR-crop-weather Oregon Crop Weather Released: April 30, 2012 Week ending: April 29, 2012 OR-CW0512 OREGON CROP WEATHER NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE USDA, NASS, Oregon Field Office Phone: 503-326-2131 Released: April 30, 2012 Toll Free: 1-800-338-2157 Week ending: April 29, 2012 Email: nass-or@nass.usda.gov Volume: 05-12 Internet: www.nass.usda.gov/or Weather: It was a wet warm week favorable for plant growth. All stations posted warmer than normal temperatures. All stations reported at least two days of precipitation. Most stations not on the Coast posted highs in the 80s. Ontario and The Dalles hit 90 degrees. Field Crops: Wheat in eastern Oregon was mostly looking good and benefited further with intermittent rain bearing storms. In Umatilla County spring pea, corn, and alfalfa planting continued, with spring wheat planting about wrapped up. Malheur potato planting was winding down. Early corn planting started. Sherman County wheat first tillage was underway and weed spraying, when not too wet, continued. Warmer Wallowa temperatures during the first of the week have helped with spring crops but cooler temperatures towards the end have not. The forecast was for more moisture next week so those producers who did get their spring crops planted were smiling. Klamath winter crops were emerging and alfalfa and grass were starting to grow. Washington County Crimson clover was spotty, red clover and alfalfa showing good growth. Grass for seed shows goose degradation and also winter wheat damaged. Hay grasses were growing well. Some Marion grass seed fields were starting to show early heads. In the south Willamette Valley, grass seed farmers were close to completing their spring application of fertilizer. Winter wheat on the best soils look good, anything with any drainage challenges were poor; it was too wet for too long. Most were fertilized and have first shot of fungicide on. Striped Rust found in wheat. Septoria issues in some winter wheat there. Fruits and Nuts: Fruit trees were mostly done blooming except in southern Wasco County. In Hood River County, rain followed by several warm days made the risk for fire blight infections on pears high. Douglas County reported the plum fruit set seemed a little light, but all other tree fruit looked like it set well. Grapes were budding. Blueberry flowering and pollination were in progress. Caneberries and raspberries leafed out. Hazelnut growers were trying to fit in some spraying. Vegetables: Washington County and Lane County reported vegetable seeds and some transplants were planted. Low ground temperatures and wet conditions made any planting difficult. Nurseries and Greenhouses: Nurseries were irrigating potted plants and shrubs. Ornamental tree digging, balling and shipping continued. Livestock, Range and Pasture: Harney and Lake counties weather greatly improved forage conditions on spring and summer pastures. Irrigation of hay meadows was in full swing. Coos and Curry counties livestock were starting to slowly move to bottom pastures as they started to dry. Spring feeder cattle turn-out will definitely be delayed a couple of weeks due to the continuing wet weather and soggy pastures. Soil Moisture - Week Ending 04/29/12 ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Very : : : : short : Short : Adequate : Surplus ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Percent : Topsoil : 0 4 66 30 Subsoil : 5 3 60 32 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Progress - Week Ending 04/29/12 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : This : Last : Last : 5 year Crop : week : week : year : average -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Barley planted : 90 76 74 85 Barley emerged : 62 42 53 62 Spring wheat planted : 91 83 78 89 Spring wheat emerged : 53 46 34 58 : Days suitable for fieldwork : 4.3 4.1 3.6 4.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Condition - Week Ending 04/29/12 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Very : : : : Crop : poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Winter wheat : 0 8 19 55 18 Range and pasture : 1 11 37 45 6 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Western Oregon COOS/CURRY: A little warmer weather for the period, with both high and low temperatures above the 5-year averages in both counties. Still mostly overcast with periods of heavy rain mid-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. Livestock are starting to slowly move to bottom pastures as they start to dry. Spring feeder cattle turn-out will definitely be delayed a couple of weeks due to the continuing wet weather and soggy pastures. Low temperatures at reporting stations were almost 6 degrees above the 5-year average in Bandon (Coos County) and over 4 degrees above the 5-year average in Brookings (southern Curry). High temperatures through the week were a couple degrees above the 5-year average in Bandon, and over 3 degrees above the 5-year average in southern Curry. 2.31 inches of precipitation in Bandon for the week, and 1.69 inches in Brookings for the week. Bandon (Coos and Northern Curry): Official Low temperature for the period was 43.88 degrees, 5.86 degrees above the 5-year average. High temperature for the period was 63.01 degrees, 2.1 degrees above the 5-year average. Precipitation for the period was 2.31 inches, which is 1.07 inches above the 5-year average for the week. Weather year 2012 (began 10/1/2011) precipitation stands at 58.16 inches, 10.5 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 45.08 degrees, 4.02 degrees above the 5-year average. High temperature for the period was 64.48 degrees, 3.38 degrees above the 5-year average. Precipitation for the period was 1.69 inches, compared to a 5-year average of 1.34 inches. Weather year 2012 (began 10/1/2011) precipitation stands at 82.7 inches, 14.3 inches above the 5-year average. Historical average precipitation through April is 64.54 inches. DOUGLAS: A drier week allowed some improvement in field conditions, although a very small amount of field work has been done. Some orchard spraying has been possible but most farmers were staying off their fields until they dry down a little more. Most tree crops have finished with pollination. Plums, peaches, cherries, nectarines, pears, and apples are all at petal fall or later. Plum fruit set seems like it was a little light, all the other tree fruit look like they have set well. Grapes were actively growing with new shoots about 3 inches long. Blueberry flowering and pollination were in progress for most varieties. Some early varieties have set well. JACKSON: A thunderstorm brought high winds and some hail to parts of the Rogue Valley on Monday. The rest of the week was good. It went back and forth between warm temperatures and being too wet to accomplish field work. Spring planting of small grains continued when it was not too wet. Most cattle had been worked and were ready to turn out. JOSEPHINE: Beautiful weather this week. Idyllic. Overnight temperature 38-48 degrees. Daytime temperatures 50-77 degrees, and 0.52 inches of rain. Windy at times. Thunder cells around but none putting down in immediate area. Planting mostly seeds now. Too early to set out tomatoes, peppers, etc. Harvesting lots of asparagus and chard. Grapes were budding out. Truck farmers were starting to plow. LANE: Midweek rain of .85 inches renewed excess water in prairie fields. Last of fertilizer application was completed. Winter wheat was close to flag leaf emergence. Winter wheat on the best soils look good, anything with any drainage challenges were poor; it was too wet for too long. Most were fertilized and have first shot of fungicide on. Striped Rust found in wheat. Septoria wassues in some winter wheat. Pastures wetter than normal. Vegetable seeds planted. About 90 percent of brassica fields planted. Green bean and corn scheduled for planting this week; wet field conditions will make planting difficult. LINN/BENTON: Grass farmers were close to completing their spring application of fertilizer and bees were busy in radish fields. The weather remained cool this week. MARION: A nice break in the weather brought warmer days. Some grass seed fields starting to show early heads. WASHINGTON: Crimson clover spotty, red clover and alfalfa showing good growth, grass for seed shows goose degradation and also winter wheat damaged. Hay grasses were growing well. Strawberries showing blooms, cane and raspberries leafed out. Rhubarb was harvested, wine grapes saw bud break. Some tomatoes squash, and egg plants were transplanted. Ground temperatures were low. Nurseries were irrigating potted plants and shrubs, ornamental tree digging, balling and shipping continued. Grass growing well at last and cattle benefiting. High temperature 76.8 degrees, low 40 degrees, 0.6 inches of rain fall Wednesday through Thursday. YAMHILL: Hazelnut growers were trying to fit in their EFB control sprays. Last weekend we had a window of sunny weather suitable for honey bee activity, which may help set a crop of cherries. Eastern Oregon HARNEY COUNTY: Warmer than normal conditions early in the week gave way to cooler, wet conditions as the week progressed. A storm brought some much needed spring moisture mid-week. The warmer conditions early in the week were followed by significant moisture over most of the County. This greatly improved forage conditions on spring and summer pastures. Irrigation of hay meadows was in full swing. HOOD RIVER: The week started with above average temperatures but ended with more seasonable conditions. Mid-week rain following several warm days pushed the risk for fire blight infections on pears into the high range. At week's end, crop development in the lower Hood River Valley was as follows: d'Anjou pear at full bloom to post bloom (WSU stages 7 and 8); Red Delicious apple at near full bloom (WSU stage 8); Bing cherry at full bloom to post bloom (WSU stages 8 and 9); Pinot noir grape at Eichhorn-Lorenz stages 5 to 7. KLAMATH: Some limited irrigation was occurring. Spring preparation and planting was well underway. Warm temperatures prevailed during the first part of the week. Winter crops were emerging and alfalfa and grass were starting to grow. LAKE: Received significant amount of precipitation during the week. The County was currently at 84 percent of average. Warmer temperatures were helping to improve pasture conditions. MALHEUR: Monday evening presented a heavy wind and rain storm passing through. Areas of hail hit the County on Tuesday. Wednesday evening/night and into Thursday presented another heavy rain storm, depending on location. No major damage is known at this point. The heavy rain stopped field work for 2 or 3 days. Potato planting was winding down. Early corn planting started. Cattle were still being turned out. SHERMAN: Two big storms this week messed up farming plans, but storms were spotty, following a more traditional pattern. Where it rained, it rained hard and where it was light it was very light. Have heard reports ranging from .02 inches to .90 inches on the last one. First one came through on Monday, accompanied by lots of lightning and thunder and varying rain levels. Lightning responsible for killing three cows. But days had warm weather (up to 90 degrees last Saturday, Sunday, and Monday). Cooler now but wheat has responded nicely. First tillage underway and weed spraying (when not too wet) continued. UMATILLA: Spring pea, corn, and alfalfa planting continued, with spring wheat planting about wrapped up. WALLOWA: Warmer temperatures during the first of the week have helped with spring crops but cooler temperatures towards the end have not. The forecast was for more moisture next week so those producers who did get their spring crops planted were smiling. WASCO: Cooler temperatures, scattered showers and windy conditions hampered spring spraying. Fruit trees were mostly done blooming except southern orchards. Wheat finally looking good in most cases. Broad leaf weeds were being sprayed by ground rigs when planes were unavailable causing the wheat to be crushed by tractor and sprayer tires. Weather data for selected stations in Oregon, Week ending: April 29, 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 : 43 65 52 +3 16 +5 1.26 0.38 4 60.78 2.28 104 151 Bandon 8/ : 44 63 53 +4 21 +7 2.31 1.51 5 58.80 5.53 110 146 Crescent City : 43 60 53 +3 24 -2 0.75 -0.06 4 54.65 -4.94 92 105 Florence : 41 61 51 +1 14 +0 1.71 0.70 5 63.05 -5.05 93 137 North Bend : 45 63 53 +3 24 +10 0.86 0.00 3 34.97 -22.43 61 108 Tillamook : 43 64 54 +6 33 +26 0.94 -0.21 4 52.42 -25.20 68 152 WILLAMETTE : VALLEY : Aurora 8/ : 40 82 56 +6 48 +27 0.78 0.22 5 37.76 2.20 106 154 Corvallis : 42 80 56 +6 44 +23 0.57 0.08 5 41.08 2.95 108 149 Detroit Lake 8/ : 37 85 53 +8 34 +27 1.73 0.88 6 85.68 25.84 143 141 Eugene : 41 80 57 +6 53 +27 0.40 -0.17 3 37.01 -7.18 84 118 Hillsboro : 35 82 57 +6 50 +29 0.54 0.13 5 26.62 -6.33 81 129 McMinnville : 42 82 58 +6 56 +32 0.66 0.17 6 35.70 -3.35 91 136 Portland : 42 81 58 +6 60 +31 0.50 0.01 4 32.36 1.32 104 131 Salem : 43 81 57 +7 50 +29 0.55 0.06 3 40.13 5.51 116 127 SW VALLEYS : Grants Pass : 42 89 60 +6 71 +29 0.24 -0.09 3 25.72 -2.90 90 106 Medford : 41 88 60 +7 69 +34 0.29 0.08 3 14.07 -2.42 85 82 Roseburg : 45 85 59 +6 65 +30 0.26 -0.16 2 27.12 -2.23 92 112 NORTH CENTRAL : Condon : 33 84 55 +8 47 +40 1.14 0.86 3 9.94 -0.72 93 77 Echo 8/ : 38 87 58 +4 56 +17 0.58 0.44 2 6.07 -1.17 84 75 Heppner : 36 86 56 +6 54 +33 1.75 1.43 3 8.42 -2.11 80 66 Hermiston : 38 88 58 +5 60 +21 1.21 1.07 2 6.29 -0.95 87 65 Madras 8/ : 33 84 54 +5 37 +16 0.45 0.31 4 5.82 -2.07 74 69 Moro : 35 86 55 +7 45 +31 0.29 0.15 3 8.40 -0.58 94 68 Parkdale 8/ : 35 84 52 +1 25 -1 0.68 0.39 5 42.23 13.89 149 129 Pendleton : 38 87 58 +6 61 +29 0.53 0.32 2 9.29 -0.22 98 69 Prairie City 8/ : 33 84 54 +5 37 +16 0.45 0.31 4 5.82 -2.07 74 69 The Dalles : 42 90 60 +11 76 +55 0.34 0.20 3 10.87 0.43 104 82 SOUTH CENTRAL : Agency Lake 8/ : 34 76 51 +8 29 +22 0.31 0.11 1 12.22 -1.08 92 72 Bend : 31 84 53 +9 40 +30 0.16 0.02 2 7.57 -1.43 84 33 Burns : 28 82 50 +5 21 +12 0.85 0.70 2 7.56 0.47 107 60 Christmas Valley 8/ : 25 83 49 +2 15 -2 0.28 0.10 2 4.48 -4.81 48 63 Klamath Falls : 28 80 51 +4 22 +8 0.30 0.15 2 5.96 -5.04 54 58 Klamath Falls 8/ : 30 79 50 +4 23 +9 0.34 0.19 3 7.46 -3.54 68 77 Lakeview 8/ : 26 77 47 +2 10 +0 0.61 0.33 3 6.57 -5.57 54 76 Lorella 8/ : 25 81 49 +3 21 +7 0.48 0.33 3 7.41 -3.59 67 70 Redmond : 29 86 53 +7 32 +18 0.44 0.30 2 6.04 -0.09 99 48 Worden 8/ : 28 78 49 +3 20 +6 0.29 0.14 2 6.55 -4.45 60 62 NORTHEAST : Baker City : 27 85 51 +4 30 +16 0.36 0.15 2 4.72 -1.99 70 56 Joseph : 30 81 52 +10 49 +49 0.40 -0.02 2 9.03 -10.11 47 93 La Grande : 34 86 54 +5 40 +21 0.41 0.06 3 9.70 -3.22 75 82 Imbler 8/ : 33 86 54 +6 37 +23 0.60 0.25 3 13.10 -5.68 70 93 SOUTHEAST : Ontario : 37 90 59 +5 62 +19 0.59 0.45 2 6.17 -1.42 81 55 Rome : 26 85 53 +4 44 +23 0.54 0.33 3 4.85 -0.62 89 45 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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.