OR-crop-weather Oregon Crop Weather Released: September 17, 2012 Week ending: September 16, 2012 OR-CW2512 OREGON CROP WEATHER NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE USDA, NASS, Oregon Field Office Phone: 503-326-2131 Released: September 17, 2012 Toll Free: 1-800-338-2157 Week ending: September 16, 2012 Email: nass-or@nass.usda.gov Volume: 25-12 Internet: www.nass.usda.gov/or Weather: The warm, dry weather continued this past week. The Coast saw highs reaching the mid 80's at both Astoria and Tillamook. Medford had the highest recorded temperature, as it was the only station that hit 100 degrees. Overnight temperatures continued to drop. Thirteen stations reported having a freezing temperature, with Christmas Valley having the lowest at 22 degrees. While eastern counties were still without precipitation, a few stations in both the Willamette Valley and on the Coast had measureable precipitation. Astoria recorded the highest rainfall, at just 0.16 inches, still 0.5 inches below normal for this time of year. Hood River was hit by a brief thunderstorm on 9/9, with scattered showers, but no damage was reported. Field Crops: Malheur hay, onion, and potato harvest continued. Corn and sugarbeet harvests have yet to start. Ideal harvest weather, though still no precipitation. Umatilla seed corn harvest continued. Field corn was beginning to mature and turn. Winter wheat planting was slow, due to low moisture conditions. In north central Oregon, they continued spraying in fallow ground, waiting for some rain so that they can get to seeding fall grains. Expect some seeding will begin next week anyhow. In Jefferson County, some downed hay was caught in the rain last week. Field burning also took place on some grass seed fields. Carrot seed harvest continued. Irrigation of fall planted wheat continued in Washington County; field corn ears were filling, red clover for seed was nearing harvest completion, hay season was winding down. Fruits and Nuts: Summer pear harvest continued in the upper Hood River Valley. Winter pear harvest began in the lower Valley. In Douglas County the wine grape crop looked spectacular to date and should finish well ahead of the past two years. In the Willamette Valley, the prune harvest continued, as did late peach and early apple harvests. Also harvesting raspberries, everbearing strawberries, and blueberries. Hazelnut orchards were allowing the fallen nuts to accumulate for harvest later on. Cranberry producers were starting preparation for the upcoming harvest season. Vegetables: Sweet corn finished being picked and continued on to processors in Washington County. Tomatoes were abundant, dill could be found at farmer's markets and cucumbers were ready to be picked. The planting of winter vegetables started in Josephine County. Onion harvest continued in Malheur County. Nurseries and Greenhouses: Nursery irrigation continued, and greenhouses prepared to ship and sell. Fall plants in containers. Livestock, Range and Pasture: Range conditions have continued to deteriorate with the lack of precipitation. The lack of rainfall has kept most of the eastern counties in a state of drought. Cattle were still being pulled off of their grazing allotments early in some eastern counties. Over west in Coos and Curry counties, cattle were being shipped off to the bottom land, and hillside pastures in preparation for the wetter, cooler weather. Supplemental feedings were required for livestock in Washington County as pastures continued to dry. Soil Moisture - Week Ending 09/16/12 ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Very : : : : short : Short : Adequate : Surplus ------------------------------------------------------------------ : Percent : Topsoil : 38 39 23 0 Subsoil : 34 35 31 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Progress - Week Ending 09/16/12 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : This : Last : Last : 5 year Crop : week : week : year : average -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Alfalfa hay, third cutting : 69 44 65 86 Winter wheat planted : 9 6 6 15 : Days suitable for fieldwork : 6.9 6.9 6.8 6.5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Condition - Week Ending 09/16/12 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Very : : : : Crop : poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Corn : 0 0 26 73 1 Range and pasture : 17 33 28 21 1 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Western Oregon COOS/CURRY: Lows were well below the 5-year average in both Coos and Curry counties. Highs were slightly below the 5-year average in Coos County. Southern Curry County had a one-day spike over 20 degrees above the 5-year average on Tuesday, 9/11, then cooled off to highs in the mid 50's Thursday through Sunday. Cool foggy mornings and breezy conditions prevailed all week along the Coast in both Coos and Curry counties, with earlier burn-off inland, and only a trace of rainfall for the week. The cool weather means pastures, both hillside and bottom, remain in relatively good condition, with better than average feed in some areas for this time of year. Cattle are starting to be shipped out to feedlots off the bottoms and hills in preparation for the coming wet weather. Cranberry producers were starting preparation for the upcoming harvest season. Bandon (Coos and Northern Curry): Official Low temperature for the period was 40.36 degrees, 7.41 degrees below the 5-year average. High temperature for the period was 66.99 degrees, 1.6 degrees below the 5-year average. Precipitation for the period was 0.01 inches, which is 0.04 inches below the 5-year average for the week. Weather year 2012 (began 10/1/2011) precipitation stands at 65.03 inches, 12.09 inches above the 5-year average. Average precipitation through the month of September is 60.4 inches. Brookings (Southern Curry): Low temperature for the period was 4723 degrees, 3.0 degrees below the 5-year average. High temperature for the period was a spike to 88.4 degrees, 21.11 degrees above the 5-year average. Precipitation for the period was 0.01 inches, which is 0.10 inches below the 5-year average. Weather year 2012 (began 10/1/2011) precipitation stands at 91.89 inches, 12.85 inches above the 5-year average. Historical average precipitation through September is 73.48 inches. DOUGLAS: The heat continued this week, stressing dry farm crops and pushing irrigation on all sites that have systems in place. Most crops did fine as long as they were being well watered. The wine grape crop looked spectacular to date and should finish well ahead of the past two years. Fall seeded crops were cultivating fields but waiting for a few light rains before planting. JOSEPHINE: Overnight temperatures were in the upper 40's, and daytime temperatures hit the upper 90's with no precipitation or dew this past week. Rain needed. Many wells were going dry, which is a common occurrence in the summers here. Fertilizing of hay fields, planting winter vegetables and harvesting summer crops, many of which were ripening quickly in the weather this week. Watering has been a challenge because of the excessive heat in most areas. WASHINGTON: Irrigating fall planted wheat, field corn ears filling, red clover for seed nearing harvest completion, hay season winding down. Harvesting prunes, peas, apples, raspberries, everbearing strawberries, and blueberries. Filbert orchards prepared for nut drop, some falling. Sweet corn picked and continuing to processors. Tomatoes abundant, dill at farmer's markets, and cucumbers ready for picking. Nursery irrigation continued, greenhouses ready to ship and sell. Fall plants in containers. Supplemental feeding required for livestock as pastures dry. High temperature of 89 degrees, low 39 degrees. No precipitation. Goose hunt successful. Wine grape crop nearing picking stage and indications looked like a quality and bountiful season. YAMHILL: Prune harvest continued, as did late peach and early apple harvests. Hazelnut orchards were allowing the fallen nuts to accumulate for harvest later. Eastern Oregon HARNEY: Temperatures have fallen throughout Harney County. The highs reached the low 90's, and then cooling off at night to the 30's. Everything remained very dry and some producers have reported having to pull their cattle off grazing allotments early. HOOD RIVER: Mild to warm temperatures and dry conditions prevailed through the week, with the exception of a thunderstorm with brief rain showers on 9/9. Summer pear harvest continued in the upper Hood River Valley. Winter pear harvest began in the lower Valley. JEFFERSON: Some downed hay was caught in the rain last week. Field burning also took place on some grass seed fields. Carrot seed harvest continued. KLAMATH: Warm and dry throughout the week. LAKE: Did not receive any precipitation during the week--lack of moisture has had very negative impacts MALHEUR: High temperatures were mostly around 80, with the low temperatures around 50. Normal was 80 and 54 respectively. Hay, onion, potato harvest continued. Corn and sugarbeet harvests have yet to start. Ideal harvest weather, though still no precipitation. SHERMAN/WASCO: Continued spraying in fallow ground, waiting for 2 inches of rain so we can get seeding, although expect some seeding will begin next week. Lots of interest in grain markets and a lot of hard feelings about changes made in grain production guarantees. Hurt a lot of support business as well as farmers. UMATILLA: Seed corn harvest continued, field corn was beginning to mature and turn. Winter wheat planting was slow, due to low moisture conditions. Range conditions were deteriorating, a shot of moisture would be welcomed to help with fall green up. Weather data for selected stations in Oregon, Week ending: September 16, 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 : 42 85 59 +2 67 +6 0.16 -0.50 1 0.20 -1.16 15 2 Bandon 8/ : 40 67 54 -4 30 -25 0.01 -0.36 1 0.04 -0.77 5 4 Crescent City : 45 64 54 -6 27 -34 0.03 -0.35 3 0.06 -0.74 7 6 Florence : 37 75 55 -6 34 -36 0.03 -0.51 1 0.05 -1.08 4 2 North Bend : 46 70 56 -4 43 -20 - -0.40 - - -0.85 - - Tillamook : 37 86 59 +2 66 +10 0.02 -0.85 1 0.02 -1.76 1 1 WILLAMETTE : VALLEY : Aurora 8/ : 40 90 65 +4 103 +18 0.05 -0.37 1 0.05 -0.83 6 1 Corvallis : 42 90 64 +3 101 +16 - -0.35 - - -0.73 - - Detroit Lake 8/ : 39 95 65 +10 105 +55 0.11 -0.40 1 0.11 -0.98 10 1 Eugene : 40 90 64 +2 100 +6 - -0.39 - - -0.84 - - Hillsboro : 37 89 63 +2 90 +11 0.01 -0.34 1 0.01 -0.75 1 1 McMinnville : 37 92 66 +4 112 +27 - -0.37 - - -0.78 - - Portland : 47 89 66 +4 117 +20 0.04 -0.38 1 0.04 -0.88 4 1 Salem : 42 91 65 +4 107 +22 0.02 -0.33 1 0.02 -0.72 3 1 SW VALLEYS : Grants Pass : 44 97 68 +3 124 +16 - -0.21 - - -0.41 - - Medford : 47 100 72 +6 154 +42 - -0.21 - - -0.45 - - Roseburg : 44 97 68 +4 124 +25 - -0.28 - - -0.59 - - NORTH CENTRAL : Condon : 35 88 60 +3 69 +11 - -0.17 - 0.02 -0.42 5 1 Echo 8/ : 33 89 61 -3 77 -19 0.01 -0.10 1 0.01 -0.28 3 1 Heppner : 36 86 60 -2 73 -7 - -0.21 - - -0.41 - - Hermiston : 33 89 61 -3 82 -14 - -0.11 - - -0.29 - - Madras 8/ : 33 82 59 -1 62 -5 0.02 -0.12 2 0.02 -0.30 6 2 Moro : 34 87 59 -2 60 -10 - -0.14 - - -0.32 - - Parkdale 8/ : 32 89 59 -2 63 -12 0.01 -0.27 1 0.02 -0.57 3 2 Pendleton : 37 86 62 -2 88 -9 - -0.14 - - -0.32 - - Prairie City 8/ : 33 82 59 -1 62 -5 0.02 -0.12 2 0.02 -0.30 6 2 The Dalles : 39 92 66 +7 115 +42 - -0.14 - - -0.32 - - SOUTH CENTRAL : Agency Lake 8/ : 27 85 55 +1 39 -5 - -0.14 - - -0.32 - - Bend : 31 87 58 +3 59 +12 - -0.14 - - -0.32 - - Burns : 25 89 58 +3 56 +11 - -0.14 - - -0.32 - - Christmas Valley 8/ : 22 89 56 -5 41 -29 - -0.12 - - -0.30 - - Klamath Falls : 34 86 61 +2 77 +7 - -0.09 - - -0.27 - - Klamath Falls 8/ : 35 87 62 +4 88 +18 - -0.09 - - -0.27 - - Lakeview 8/ : 33 85 59 +1 61 +2 - -0.14 - 0.01 -0.31 3 1 Lorella 8/ : 28 88 58 -2 58 -12 - -0.09 - - -0.27 - - Redmond : 24 90 57 -1 51 -6 0.04 -0.04 1 0.04 -0.22 15 1 Worden 8/ : 28 86 58 -2 57 -13 - -0.09 - - -0.27 - - NORTHEAST : Baker City : 25 85 56 -3 42 -16 - -0.18 - - -0.45 - - Joseph : 32 82 57 +5 52 +17 0.04 -0.27 1 0.04 -0.63 6 1 La Grande : 28 90 60 -2 69 -6 0.02 -0.19 1 0.14 -0.36 28 2 Imbler 8/ : 32 90 60 +2 70 +8 0.01 -0.25 1 0.01 -0.52 2 1 SOUTHEAST : Ontario : 37 89 65 +3 110 +14 - -0.14 - - -0.32 - - Rome : 31 92 62 +2 87 +12 - -0.14 - - -0.32 - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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, 2012. 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.