or-crop-weather

Oregon Crop Weather
Released: August 4, 2008 
Week ending: August~3, 2008     
OR-CW1405

OREGON CROP WEATHER
 
NATIONAL
AGRICULTURAL
STATISTICS
SERVICE

USDA, NASS, Oregon Field Office

Phone: 503-326-2131
Released: August 4, 2008
Toll Free: 1-800-338-2157
Week ending: cweek@, @year_cwk@
Email: nass-or@nass.usda.gov
Volume: 18-08
Internet: www.nass.usda.gov/or

Weather: Conditions became slightly cooler and drier throughout most of the 
State.  High temperatures ranged from 96 degrees in Rome, down to 65 degrees 
at the Crescent City weather station.  Low temperatures ranged from 53 
degrees in Medford and Grants Pass, down to 36 degrees in Christmas Valley.  
The Florence weather station received the most precipitation with 1.03 total 
inches followed by the Astoria/Clatsop weather station with 0.43 total 
inches.  Only eleven of the forty-two weather stations reported measurable 
precipitation, all along the coast and in the Willamette Valley.  Most 
stations, again, reported below average precipitation levels and 
temperatures.  

Field Crops: The grass seed harvest was active, with average to less than 
average yields reported so far.  Overall weather conditions continued to aid 
grain crop development as well as grass and hay cutting.  The moisture 
received last week provided good field burning conditions for grass seed 
fields in Marion County, though it delayed some thrashing. Third cutting of 
hay started in western Oregon, while the second cutting of hay continued 
across eastern areas.  Wheat yields varied according to soil type and 
moisture conditions in north central Oregon.  Winter wheat and barley 
conditions were reported to be fair across the State, while spring wheat 
condition was reported to be fair to poor and corn condition was reported to 
be good.

Vegetables: Despite being about ten days late in development this year, 
vegetable crops were reported to be growing well throughout the Willamette 
Valley. Green onions, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, rhubarb, tomatoes, 
cabbage, green beans, and potatoes were available at farmer's markets and 
roadside stands. Conditions this past week have been excellent for 
pollination of carrot and onion seed crops in central Oregon.  

Fruits and Nuts: Summer berry harvest continued; some varieties were starting 
to wind down. Tart cherry picking continued in the Willamette Valley. Early 
peaches and Gravenstein apples were also picked. Hazelnut development remains 
two to three weeks behind normal. Douglas County wine grapes were developing 
well and were about 50 days past fruit set; they will be at vraison in about 
two weeks. Some hybrid and vinifera grapes in Jefferson County have very good 
fruit set for the third year in a row. Summer orchard operations continued 
throughout the Hood River Valley. Pear growers continued cutting fire blight 
in many locations throughout the valley. Cherry harvest continued in the mid 
and upper valley. Southern Oregon apples and pears were starting to size; 
Bartlett pear harvest will begin soon. 

Nurseries and Greenhouses: Nurseries were busy with plant watering and 
feeding activities. Greenhouses continued with clean up and fall planting 
preparation.

Livestock, Range and Pasture: Non-irrigated pastures and rangelands were 
drying up in most areas.  Water sources were becoming limited, restricting 
usage of some pastures.  Supplemental feeding was necessary in dryer areas.  
Cattle, sheep, and buffalo were all still looking good despite grazing 
conditions.  

                Soil Moisture-Week Ending 08/03/08                
------------------------------------------------------------------
                :   Very    :           :             :           
                :   short   :   Short   :  Adequate   :  Surplus  
------------------------------------------------------------------
                :                     Percent                     
                :                                                 
Topsoil         :    39          39           22            0     
Subsoil         :    29          48           23            0     
------------------------------------------------------------------

                       Crop Progress-Week Ending 08/03/08                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                :   This    :   Last    :   Last    :  5 year   
              Crop              :   week    :   week    :   year    :  average  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                :                    Percent                    
                                :                                               
Alfalfa hay, second cutting     :   89          76          96          38      
Alfalfa hay, third cutting      :    7           -           -           -      
Winter wheat harvested          :   65          45          76          63      
Barley harvested                :   55          49          67          56      
Spring wheat harvested          :   61          41          57          48      
                                :                                               
Days suitable for fieldwork     :    6.8         6.7         6.8         6.8    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Crop Condition-Week Ending 08/03/08                           
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :   Very    :           :           :           :               
           Crop          :   poor    :   Poor    :   Fair    :   Good    :   Excellent   
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :                            Percent                            
                         :                                                               
Winter wheat             :     4          26          48          18             4       
Spring wheat             :     4          36          33          21             6       
Barley                   :     0          19          53          24             4       
Corn                     :     0           0          25          54            21       
Range and pasture        :    13          26          40          20             1       
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 WESTERN OREGON                                 

BENTON/LINN/LANE: The grass seed harvest was two-thirds complete with yields 
looking average. The peppermint harvest is getting set to begin this week.

CLACKAMAS: It was a somewhat cool week for late July. A couple days of high 
moisture mornings interrupted the grass seed harvest. Marionberries and 
raspberries were nearing the end. There were disappointing crops for many 
growers. The cold wet weather during pollination may have been the culprit 
along with the cold weather earlier in the spring and winter damage to canes.

COOS/CURRY: Warm, sunny, dry, and all but the best sub-irrigated pastures 
were too dry to make livestock forage.
 
DOUGLAS: Mild seasonal temperatures have allowed irrigated crops to grow 
nicely this past week. We are seeing the plum harvest progress as well as the 
blueberry harvest. We have reached about 25 percent complete with plums and 
70 percent complete with blueberries. Wine grapes were developing well and 
are currently about 50 days past fruit set and will be at vraison in about 
two weeks. Grapes were about 10 days behind normal development pace. No 
significant disease issues with grapes, berries, or tree fruit. Vegetable 
crops were also growing well despite being about 10 days later in development 
this year. 

JACKSON: It was a good week for field work. Good hay making weather, and good 
for ripening grain. Lots of harvest activities and lots of irrigation. Hay 
continued to be baled, both alfalfa and grass hay. The grain harvest 
continued. Some ground preparation was being done to control weeds, and mulch 
the grain stubble. Caneberries were being harvested. Mostly blueberries, and 
some blackberries and raspberries were being harvested. Peaches were being 
picked. Apples and pears were starting to size up. Bartlett pears will soon 
be picked. Lots of good vegetable's are now at roadside stands and farmers 
markets. Some u-pick signs were up on some operations. Greenhouses were doing 
some plant care, but still mostly in maintenance work. Nurseries were mostly 
doing plant and tree care, and plenty of feeding and watering. Most all 
livestock were still on good irrigated grass, some cattle are now on higher 
ranges.  
 
JOSEPHINE: Hot days and moderate nights again. Some smoke was still filtering 
in from the California fires. Gardens were producing well; corn, tomatoes, 
squash, cucumbers, cabbage, green beans. We will have a bumper crop of 
grapes. The second cutting of grass hay was being done in some fields. 
Operators were busy keeping things wet.

MARION: This past week saw variable summer weather with a slight amount of 
moisture on Tuesday morning and a little more on Friday. The moisture Friday 
morning was heavier in some areas and lighter in others, but with the 
coolness of the day, thrashing activity came to a halt. It appears that all 
grass seed has been swathed but there is still some to be thrashed. Although 
the cool and damp weather put a hold on harvest, it was helpful in providing 
good conditions for open field burning in grass seed fields. Some wheat was 
getting combined last week as well, although not much. The flower harvest 
continues as the different varieties bloom and go to seed. The third cutting 
alfalfa has been cut and awaits the baler. Nice summer weather, but a little 
warmer is forecasted for the upcoming week. This coming week should pretty 
well wrap up the grass seed harvest.

POLK: Cooler conditions last week, but still dry. The harvest of grass seed 
continued. The small grain harvest will begin soon.

TILLAMOOK: The area received some rain during the week but it was still very 
dry.

WASHINGTON: Temperatures were as high as 84 degrees and as low as 41 degrees 
with humidity ranging from 62 percent and 33 percent. The grass seed harvest 
was completed. There were reports of 15 percent reduction in yields for 
perennial rye grass and tall fescue. Winter wheat harvest started, oats were 
ripening, and sugarbeets for seed were growing well. Gravenstein apples were 
showing at markets. Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and 
rhubarb were also at markets. Green onions, zucchini, crook neck, tomatoes, 
and potatoes were ready at farmers markets. Greenhouses were planting 
evergreen trees and were busy with irrigation. Pastures were dwindling with 
supplemental feed needed. Cows, calves, and buffalo's were looking good. 

YAMHILL: The tart cherry harvest continued in the higher elevations. Some 
early peach harvesting was being started. Hazelnut development remains about 
two to three weeks behind normal. 

                                 EASTERN OREGON                                 

BAKER: It has been warm and dry. Second cutting alfalfa was being put up. 
Range conditions were looking favorable. Grasshoppers were moving down from 
rangelands to irrigated fields. Not much damage has occurred yet.

CROOK/DESCHUTES/JEFFERSON: Conditions have been excellent for pollination of 
carrot and onion seed crops. Likewise, conditions have been excellent for the 
bluegrass seed harvest. Some rust was found on a field of Twin Spring wheat 
(too late to spray). Take-All root rot was found to be severely affecting a 
field of back to back Buck Pronto HRSW. Hybrid grapes in northern Deschutes 
County were growing well and have a very good fruit set in their second year. 
Some hybrid and vinifera grapes in Jefferson County have very good fruit set 
for the third year in a row. Weather has been very cooperative this summer 
for putting up hay.

HARNEY: Daily high temperatures were normal to slightly below normal. 
Moderate temperatures have been good for irrigation of second cutting 
alfalfa, especially on lower output alfalfa pivots. Desert ranges have cured 
and declined in quality; insufficient livestock water is limiting use of some 
areas. Livestock were performing well on higher elevation ranges that are 
still in good condition.

HOOD RIVER: Fair weather prevailed through the week, with lower than average 
high temperatures ranging from the mid 60's to low 80's. Summer orchard 
operations continued throughout the Hood River Valley. Pear growers continued 
cutting fire blight in many locations throughout the valley. Cherry harvest 
continued in the mid and upper valley.

KLAMATH: Warmer temperatures during the week. The second cutting of hay was 
down. It is taking longer to dry the hay because of the smoke that has been 
in the area. Early variety potatoes were blooming. Some grain crops were 
turning.

LAKE: We did not receive any precipitation during the week. The second 
cutting of alfalfa hay was underway. It appears to be a short crop due to the 
delayed first cutting.

SHERMAN: Grain harvest continued with reports on yields very mixed. Heat in 
May and limited rainfall since then reduced the crop, but areas that received 
rain in spotty showers in late May were doing much better. Drier, sandier 
soils were reporting lighter crops than average; deeper, moisture saving 
soils were at average or slightly better. However, no yields were near record 
setting despite great stands. Many grain reports were also showing light test 
weight. Many growers were complaining about the lack of herbicide success as 
weeds were slowed but not killed as well as had been hoped for. Again, this 
could be attributed to the weird, cold temperatures and the short spring.

UNION: The fine fescue harvest was completed. The Kentucky bluegrass seed 
harvest continued. Winter wheat harvest started this week. Continued dry 
conditions last week facilitated excellent threshing conditions for grass 
seed. Cooler than normal night temperatures was slowing the growth of mint, 
sugarbeets, and potatoes.

WALLOWA: Moisture conditions continued to be normal with sufficient supplies 
so far. 

WASCO:  The wheat harvest moved rapidly through Wasco County. Seventy percent 
of the crop has been harvested. The alfalfa hay crops were looking good. 
Apricots and peaches continued to be harvested. Cattle were doing well 
despite pastures being rapidly used up. Ponds for watering cattle were drying 
up. The Dufur Threshing Bee is this coming week end, August 9 and 10.

                       Weather data for selected stations in Oregon, Week ending: August 3, 2008 (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/Clatsop        :  46      67      58      -3        60      -17     0.43      0.22     4      60.93    -4.26      93       192  
  Bandon 8/              :  45      67      56      -3        46      -17     0.11     -0.01     3      52.53    -5.48      91       176  
  Crescent City          :  44      65      55      -4        40      -23     -        -0.13     -      44.23   -20.10      69       117  
  Florence               :  40      76      58      -3        59      -14     1.03      0.83     3      85.64    10.41     114       162  
  North Bend             :  48      70      60      -1        68       -2     0.08     -0.05     2      57.88    -4.54      93       151  
  Tillamook              :  45      72      60      +1        70       +7     0.18     -0.10     4      57.00   -30.03      65       178  
WILLAMETTE               :                                                                                                                
 VALLEY                  :                                                                                                                
  Aurora 8/              :  45      82      64      -4        97      -22     0.05     -0.09     1      41.69     1.51     104       168  
  Corvallis              :  45      83      63      -5        90      -29     0.01     -0.13     1      42.32     0.41     101       155  
  Detroit Lake 8/        :  47      84      64      +1       101       +3     0.02     -0.19     1      89.52    23.14     135       180  
  Eugene                 :  44      81      64      -5       100      -26     -        -0.14     -      34.62   -13.75      72       140  
  Hillsboro              :  41      82      61      -6        80      -39     0.02     -0.13     2      30.58    -6.01      84       142  
  McMinnville            :  44      81      63      -5        93      -26     -        -0.09     -      33.84    -8.65      80       148  
  Portland               :  51      84      65      -5       107      -27     0.04     -0.10     2      32.81    -2.48      93       159  
  Salem                  :  48      81      63      -5        95      -26     0.03     -0.09     1      35.95    -2.52      93       135  
SW VALLEYS               :                                                                                                                
  Grants Pass            :  53      91      71      -3       148      -12     -        -0.07     -      28.20    -2.37      92       124  
  Medford                :  53      92      72      -3       157      -11     -        -0.07     -      16.35    -2.02      89       102  
  Roseburg               :  51      87      68      -3       129      -11     -        -0.07     -      31.86    -0.25      99       139  
NORTH CENTRAL            :                                                                                                                
  Condon                 :  42      88      65      -3       105      -14     -        -0.14     -      11.50    -1.92      86       102  
  Echo 8/                :  42      91      69      -5       137      -31     -        -0.07     -       7.79    -0.81      91        98  
  Heppner                :  45      87      66      -5       116      -24     -        -0.09     -      13.65     0.37     103       117  
  Hermiston              :  43      89      70      -4       140      -28     -        -0.07     -       7.64    -0.96      89        83  
  Madras 8/              :  40      89      65      -4       103      -23     -        -0.08     -       7.83    -2.09      79        96  
  Moro                   :  42      85      63      -7        93      -40     -        -0.07     -       9.37    -1.32      88        86  
  Parkdale 8/            :  38      82      60      -9        72      -54     -        -0.07     -      21.99    -8.28      73       111  
  Pendleton              :  45      87      69      -6       133      -35     -        -0.07     -      10.89    -0.64      94        94  
  Prairie City 8/        :  40      89      65      -4       103      -23     -        -0.08     -       7.83    -2.09      79        96  
  The Dalles             :  49      88      68      +2       130       +4     -        -0.07     -      12.94     0.89     107        81  
SOUTH CENTRAL            :                                                                                                                
  Agency Lake 8/         :  43      84      63      -2        92       -6     -        -0.12     -      12.53    -3.02      81        93  
  Bend                   :  43      88      64      -1       100       +2     -        -0.10     -      11.69     0.53     105        77  
  Burns                  :  42      90      66      -2       113       -5     -        -0.14     -       8.95    -0.43      95        99  
  Christmas Valley 8/    :  36      86      62      -8        87      -46     -        -0.12     -       7.34    -4.49      62        72  
  Klamath Falls          :  44      83      64      -6        96      -32     -        -0.12     -       9.43    -3.53      73        81  
  Klamath Falls 8/       :  44      85      64      -5        99      -29     -        -0.12     -      10.76    -2.20      83       106  
  Lakeview               :   -       -       -       -         -        -     -         -        -       -        -          -         -  
  Lorella 8/             :  41      86      63      -6        91      -37     -        -0.12     -       9.39    -3.57      72       109  
  Redmond                :  37      89      62      -5        84      -35     -        -0.10     -       1.91    -6.15      24        41  
  Worden 8/              :  40      83      62      -7        86      -42     -        -0.12     -       8.11    -4.85      63       100  
NORTHEAST                :                                                                                                                
  Baker City             :  39      90      64      -4       104      -22     -        -0.16     -       9.84    -0.19      98       115  
  Joseph                 :  44      83      61      -1        80       +2     -        -0.21     -      18.71    -5.14      78       128  
  La Grande              :  39      91      67      -4       124      -22     -        -0.15     -      14.13    -2.49      85       102  
  Union                  :  40      93      67      -2       120       -6     -        -0.14     -      11.15    -1.78      86       101  
SOUTHEAST                :                                                                                                                
  Ontario                :  51      94      76      -2       182       -6     -        -0.07     -       6.23    -3.05      67        70  
  Rome                   :  47      96      73      +1       165       +7     -        -0.07     -       7.06    -0.77      90        85  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Summary based on NWS data. Copyright 2008: 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, 2007.                                                                             
6/  DFN=Departure from normal (using 1961-1990 normals period).                                                                           
7/  Precipitation days = Days with precipitation of 0.01 inch or more.                                                                    
8/  Agri-Met weather stations.