or-crop-weather

Oregon Crop Weather
Released: April 2, 2007 
Week ending: April 1, 2007     
OR-CW0107




                              OREGON CROP WEATHER                               
                                                                                

NATIONAL
AGRICULTURAL
STATISTICS
SERVICE

USDA, NASS, Oregon Field Office

Phone: 503-326-2131
Released: April 2, 2007
Toll Free: 1-800-338-2157
Week ending: April 1, 2007
Email: nass-or@nass.usda.gov
Volume: CW0107
Internet: www.nass.usda.gov/or




Weather: The weather was wet and cool across the state.  High temperatures 
ranged from 54 degrees in Crescent City, up to 72 degrees in Detroit Lake, 
Grants Pass and Medford.  High temperatures were generally in the mid 60's to 
low 70's.  Low temperatures ranged from only 11 degrees in Christmas Valley, 
up to 40 degrees in Bandon.   Temperatures were generally lowest in the 
south-central, northeast, and southeast regions.  All stations reported 
precipitation except for Rome.  Crescent City was the only station to report 
over an inch of accumulation, with 1.10 inches of moisture.   Grants Pass 
came close with 0.95 inches.  Wet fields hindered field work across the 
State.  Douglas County reported some minimal frost damage to flowering fruit 
trees.   Malheur County reported strong winds for two days, with gusts up to 
50 mph.  Washington County's dry fall prevented clover emergence.  That, 
combined with untimely rains and a late frost, has resulted in a loss of 
approximately 30 percent of the clover crop.

Field Crops:  The Willamette Valley had very wet soils this past week, 
hindering some small grain field work.  Fall wheat was being fertilized and 
weed control was ongoing.  Fields in Eastern Oregon were being prepared for 
small grain planting.  Some sugarbeets in Malheur County were replanted due 
to strong winds last week.  Growers in north central areas are excited about 
wheat prices nearing $6.00 per bushel, as well as the strong barley prices.  
The high barley prices were encouraging an increase in spring planting.

Vegetables:  Some early peas as well as early onions were being planted in 
Jackson County.  Planting was almost complete for root to seed carrots in 
Jefferson County, which encountered some winter kill on seed to seed carrots.  
Some replanting of onions will have to take place in Malheur County because 
of the strong winds they received last week.  Rhubarb is growing in 
Washington County.

Fruits and Nuts: Cold mornings have hit flowering fruit trees with strong 
frosts.  Early thoughts are that minimal damage has occurred, but growers 
will be watching closely for the impact to plums, peaches, apricots, prunes, 
and cherries. In Washington County, Asian pears were in bloom, grapes were 
still dormant, and filberts starting to leaf out.  Some peaches and pears 
were in bloom in Jackson County. 

Nurseries and Greenhouses:  Nurseries and Greenhouses:  Nurseries were 
digging plants, moving containers and loading trucks headed to the east 
coast. The trucks were being loaded with bare root plants, balled and 
burlaped plants, and containers.  Local greenhouses were shipping plant 
material to local retail outlets, which are starting to see heavy demand for 
spring plants.   

Livestock, Range and Pasture: Pastures were showing some good initial growth. 
Once warmer temperatures arrive, grass should really take off in western 
Oregon. Much of the range land in eastern Oregon continued to be very dry. 
Spring rain is needed in these areas to continue to establish growth. 
Livestock were being turned out into spring pastures as supplemental feeding 
continued in many areas. Calving continued and was proceeding well in most 
areas. Livestock were reported in good condition throughout the State.




                                                                  
                Soil Moisture-Week Ending 04/01/07                
------------------------------------------------------------------
                :   Very    :           :             :           
                :   short   :   Short   :  Adequate   :  Surplus  
------------------------------------------------------------------
                :                     Percent                     
                :                                                 
Topsoil         :     0           3           52           45     
Subsoil         :     0           8           57           35     
------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                                
                       Crop Progress-Week Ending 04/01/07                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                :   This    :   Last    :   Last    :  5 year   
              Crop              :   week    :   week    :   year    :  average  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                :                    Percent                    
                                :                                               
Barley planted                  :   25            -          30          40     
Barley emerged                  :   14            -          11          18     
Spring wheat planted            :   43            -          32          49     
Spring wheat emerged            :   17            -          11          16     
                                :                                               
Days suitable for fieldwork     :    3.1          -           -           -     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                           Crop Condition-Week Ending 04/01/07                           
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :   Very    :           :           :           :               
           Crop          :   poor    :   Poor    :   Fair    :   Good    :   Excellent   
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :                            Percent                            
                         :                                                               
Winter wheat             :     0           1          44          54             1       
Barley                   :     0           0          21          79             0       
Range and pasture        :     2          22          23          44             9       
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                                 WESTERN OREGON                                 




CLACKAMAS: March roared then went out like a lamb. Sun and showers this week. 
Very hard rain Saturday late afternoon. Then sunshine until evening.

COLUMBIA: Field work was only possible on very well-drained soils.

COOS/CURRY: Temperatures were near the 5-year average for the week. Some rain 
throughout the week with the heaviest early with over an inch in Curry on 
Monday. Pastures are starting to grow as daytime temperatures increase and 
days get longer. Bandon (Coos & Northern Curry): Low temperature for the 
period was 40.05 degrees, 2.51 degrees above the 5-year average. High 
temperature for the period was 66.55 degrees, 2.38 degrees above the 5-year 
average. Precipitation for the period was 0.87 inches, compared to a 5-year 
(including drought years 2002-2004) average of 1.20 inches. Precipitation for 
Current weather year precipitation stands at 49.38 inches, 3.89 inches above 
the 5 year average. Historical average precipitation through March is 47.99 
inches. Brookings (Southern Curry) Low temperature for the period was 38.27 
degrees, 1.43 degrees below the 5-year average. High temperature for the 
period was 64.02 degrees, 3.01 degrees below the 5-year average. 
Precipitation for the period was 1.87 inches compared to a 5-year average 
(including drought years 2002-2004) of 2.46 inches. Current weather year 
precipitation stands at 66.39 inches, 0.40 inches above the 5 year average. 
Historical average precipitation through March is 58.82 inches.   

DOUGLAS: A couple of cold mornings hit flowering fruit trees with strong 
frosts. Early thoughts are that minimal damage has occurred, but we will need 
to watch closely for the impact to plums, peaches, apricots, prunes, and 
cherries.  

JACKSON: More grain crops were being planted this week, but soil is still a 
bit too wet. Hay crops are off to a good start, but could use a bit more sun. 
Peaches and some pears are in bloom. Some frost protection used, as several 
nights were at or below freezing. Some spraying being done, but weather has 
been a bit too wet. Some early peas planted, as well as early onions. Soil 
still a bit too wet and cold. Greenhouses are very busy getting out lots of 
early decorative plants. Some plants, cabbage, and other hardy plants. Plenty 
of cattle are now out on valley pastures. Some are still getting supplemental 
hay feeding. Pasture grass is off to a good start, but needs a bit more sun 
to boost the protein. Ranchers are busy giving cattle shots and getting them 
into pastures.

LANE: Some cattle have been turned out onto spring pastures with adequate 
grass and some are still supplementing with hay.

MARION: There was intermittent sun and clouds with showers this week. Spring 
fertilizing for grass seed crops is almost finished. Spring grains continue 
to be planted. Judging by the spring flowers, this spring season is ahead of 
the last few for this time of year. During the past week, soil conditions 
went from too wet on Sunday and Monday to be on the fields, to just about 
right for tillage by the end of the week. We had several nice days in the 
Willamette Valley during this past week. Overall, weather has been pretty 
normal and nice and crops are looking good.  

POLK: Some areas experienced a light frost on a couple of days this past 
week. However it has been unseasonably dry. 

WASHINGTON: A dry fall resulting in clovers not emerging. Then untimely 
rains, and late frost, resulted in clover losses at approximately 30%. 
Producers were also unable to apply fertilizer and slug bait in time. Fall 
wheat is being fertilized and weed control is being applied. Alfalfa and 
clover are both showing good growth. Grass for seed is growing rapidly with 
fertilization. Spot spraying for weeds ongoing. Asian pears are in bloom, and 
other fruits are budding. Grapes still are dormant. Filberts are starting to 
leaf out. Rhubarb is growing. Balled and burlap trees and shrubs are being 
transported. Potted plants are being rotated to new fields. Cows and calves 
are looking good. High temperature recorded at 64 degrees, low at 28 degrees. 
Humidity high was 68 percent, low was 52 percent. Our total rainfall this 
past week was 0.4 inches. 

YAMHILL: Two nights of frost this week. Rain early in the week and late in 
the week. Quite of bit of field work being done. 




                                 EASTERN OREGON                                 




BAKER/UMATILLA: Weather has been dry and warm for most of the week. Baker has 
had a trace a precipitation. Fields are being worked and prepared for 
planting. 

GILLIAM: Cold nights in the 20's have kept soil temperatures low. Crops have 
greened up some, but there hasn't been enough heat units for it take off. 
Freezing night time temperatures may slow spring wheat germination.

HARNEY: Calving is proceeding well. Branding and preparation for turn-out is 
also well underway. 

HOOD RIVER: Unsettled conditions prevailed during the past week. Temperatures 
in the low 30s and high 20s required frost protection on two nights early and 
mid-week. At week's end, crop development in the lower Hood River Valley was 
as follows: d'Anjou pear at full white (WSU stage 4); Red Delicious apple at 
tight cluster (WSU stage 4); Bing cherry at open cluster (WSU stage 5); Pinot 
noir grapes at Eichhorn-Lorenz stages 1 & 2.

JEFFERSON: Some winter kill on seed to seed carrots caused by heaving. 
Planting is almost complete for root to seed carrots.

KLAMATH: Cooler temperatures were recorded during the week. Spring prep work 
continues. Alfalfa fields are being harrowed.

LAKE: Cooler temperatures for the majority of the week. We received some 
precipitation at the beginning of the week.  

MALHEUR: There were threats of rain all last week but no measurable 
precipitation fell. Spring planting of all crops is progressing ahead of 
schedule. Some replant of sugarbeets and onions will have to occur because of 
the strong winds last week. Last week we had wind gusts up to 50 mph., very 
windy for 2 days.  Field preparation and some planting continued. 
Temperatures have returned to historical averages. However, we need rain!  
Range is very dry. 

SHERMAN: March came in like a lamb and is going out like a lamb, just a 
little fatter. A warm dry March encouraged wheat growth with a few top-off 
showers towards the end of month that gave the crop a drink of water. Growers 
are excited about wheat prices approaching $6.00, and continued strong barley 
prices are leading to increased spring planting. More spring seeding is being 
done as direct seed. A dry month does have some stockmen hauling water 
already.  

WALLOWA: Some moisture received this week but nothing that made any 
significant difference in conditions. Unless April bails us out, we might be 
in trouble this year.

WASCO: Sweet cherry trees are just beginning to bloom in Wasco County. We've 
had a few frosty nights, but no reported damage to date except in a couple of 
cherry blocks in the South county area.




                       Weather data for selected stations in Oregon, Week ending: April 1, 2007 (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        :  34      63      45      -2        -        -7     0.24     -1.16     2      62.99     8.90     116       125  
  Bandon 8/              :  40      67      51      +3       11        +4     0.87     -0.59     6      50.15     1.05     102       120  
  Cresent City           :  39      54      47      -3        -       -15     1.10     -0.59     3      51.34    -3.87      93        91  
  Florence               :  31      63      45      -4        -        -7     0.56     -1.24     4      75.36    12.37     120       109  
  Tillamook              :  31      66      48      +3        7        +0     0.31     -1.68     3       -        -          -         -  
WILLAMETTE               :                                                                                                                
 VALLEY                  :                                                                                                                
  Aurora 8/              :  30      69      47      +0        5        -2     0.28     -0.53     5      36.65     3.73     111       113  
  Corvallis              :  31      66      46      -2        4        -3     0.21     -0.64     4      41.55     5.87     116       110  
  Detroit Lake 8/        :  30      72      44      +4        2        +2     0.77     -0.62     6      77.30    21.65     139       126  
  Eugene                 :  29      69      46      -4        7        -4     0.28     -0.79     4      34.27    -6.95      83        97  
  Hillsboro              :  28      69      47      -1        4        -3     0.28     -0.48     3      30.26    -0.64      98       105  
  McMinnville            :  30      67      47      +0        7        +0     0.10     -0.81     3      31.56    -5.07      86       107  
  Portland               :  32      69      49      -1       10        +0     0.30     -0.40     3      29.04     0.29     101       110  
  Salem                  :  29      66      47      +0        5        -2     0.44     -0.34     3      35.32     3.02     109        98  
SW VALLEYS               :                                                                                                                
  Grants Pass            :  30      72      48      -3       11        -7     0.95      0.31     3      26.16    -0.74      97        75  
  Medford                :  29      72      49      +0       16        +2     0.09     -0.26     2      15.28    -0.11      99        73  
  Roseburg               :  30      71      48      -1        9        -5     0.47     -0.25     2      26.73    -0.48      98        88  
NORTH CENTRAL            :                                                                                                                
  Condon                 :  24      68      42      +0        2        +2     0.28      0.00     4       9.66     0.17     102        75  
  Echo 8/                :  27      71      46      -2        5        -6     0.23      0.08     2       6.84     0.28     104        73  
  Heppner                :  26      67      43      -3        1        -6     0.44      0.09     3       9.47     0.21     102        83  
  Hermiston              :  26      71      47      -2        6        -5     0.27      0.12     2       6.17    -0.39      94        69  
  John Day               :  19      66      40      -3        -        -7     0.22     -0.06     3       6.26    -1.51      81        78  
  Madras 8/              :  22      65      41      -4        -        -7     0.18      0.03     3       4.52    -2.69      63        59  
  Moro                   :  27      64      41      -3        -        -3     0.25      0.04     2       9.24     1.01     112        64  
  Parkdale 8/            :  26      65      42      -5        -        -7     0.24     -0.29     2      31.76     4.98     119        81  
  Pendleton              :  30      66      45      -3        2        -6     0.28      0.06     4       7.79    -0.72      92        71  
  The Dalles             :  29      71      48      +4        5        -2     0.15     -0.09     1      11.55     1.85     119        64  
SOUTH CENTRAL            :                                                                                                                
  Agency Lake 8/         :  27      61      42      +4        -        +0     0.03     -0.29     1      12.91     0.50     104        80  
  Bend                   :  19      65      39      -2        -        -2     0.04     -0.15     2       8.06    -0.36      96        56  
  Burns                  :  18      69      40      +2        -        +0     0.25      0.04     2       6.16    -0.31      95        63  
  Christmas Valley 8/    :  11      68      37      -5        -        -7     0.02     -0.19     1       3.27    -5.36      38        54  
  Klamath Falls          :  21      67      40      -1        -        -3     0.11     -0.14     2       8.10    -2.18      79        57  
  Klamath Falls 8/       :  21      67      40      -1        -        -3     0.10     -0.15     3       9.09    -0.91      91        72  
  Lakeview               :  21      66      42      +4        -        -1     0.10     -0.19     2       2.81    -8.16      26        36  
  Lorella 8/             :  21      67      41      +1        -        -3     0.34      0.09     2       7.94    -2.34      77        69  
  Redmond                :  14      68      38      -4        -        -7     0.08     -0.06     2       3.70    -1.87      66        44  
  Worden 8/              :  24      66      41      +1        -        -3     0.10     -0.15     2       6.78    -3.50      66        75  
NORTHEAST                :                                                                                                                
  Baker City             :  17      64      40      -3        -        -3     0.16     -0.05     2       3.35    -2.57      57        61  
  Joseph                 :  24      63      38      +2        -        +0     0.51      0.08     3       9.51    -7.89      55        79  
  La Grande              :  25      66      42      -1        -        -7     0.40      0.05     2       5.22    -6.27      45        54  
  Prairie City 8/        :  19      66      40      +6        -        +0     0.22     -0.20     3       8.90    -5.88      60        79  
  Union                  :  25      65      42      -1        -        -7     0.76      0.48     3       6.80    -1.03      87        66  
SOUTHEAST                :                                                                                                                
  Ontario                :  27      71      48      +3        5        -5     0.09     -0.06     1       4.10    -2.89      59        52  
  Rome                   :  16      71      44      +2        -        -3     -        -0.19     -       1.80    -2.96      38        45  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Summary based on NWS data. Copyright 2007: 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, 2006.                                                                             
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.