OR-crop-weather

Oregon Crop Weather
Released: September 10, 2007 
Week ending: September 9, 2007     
OR-CW2407

OREGON CROP WEATHER
 
NATIONAL
AGRICULTURAL
STATISTICS
SERVICE

USDA, NASS, Oregon Field Office

Phone: 503-326-2131
Released: September 10, 2007
Toll Free: 1-800-338-2157
Week ending: September 9, 2007
Email: nass-or@nass.usda.gov
Volume: CW2407
Internet: www.nass.usda.gov/or

Weather: Temperatures decreased this past week, but still remained higher 
than normal for this time of year throughout the State.  High temperatures 
ranged from 99 degrees in Rome, down to 67 degrees at the Crescent City 
station.  Low temperatures ranged from 52 degrees in Portland and Bandon, 
down to a below-freezing 26 degrees in Christmas Valley.  Some precipitation 
fell during the past week, but it was not enough to meet many growers' needs. 
The Florence station received the most precipitation with .94 inches, 
followed by .75 inches reported at the Joseph station. The Willamette Valley 
received varying quantities of rain. Only seven of the forty-three stations 
did not receive any precipitation at all. 

Field Crops: Preparations for fall planting were prevalent statewide.  
Moisture for dry land seeding varied in north central Oregon. Willamette 
Valley Red clover for seed harvest was nearly complete. Field operations 
mostly active with some slowing because of  rain.  In some areas growers were 
waiting for the return of hot dry weather to finish haying or harvest. Most 
field crops including grass seed and mint were already harvested though. 
Field corn was earring up. In Malheur County,  the harvest of corn for silage 
was in full swing. Potato harvest was about finished with beans following 
closely behind. Haying continued. Field preparations for fall seeding of 
wheat was beginning there.
   
Vegetables: Truck gardens, U-picks, farmer's markets, and roadside stands 
continue to do good business with tomatoes, corn, squash, melons, green 
beans, and eggplants for sale. Sweet corn harvest for processors was going 
strong in Washington County. Onion harvest in Malheur County was progressing 
slowly due to sluggish market factors, even though the moderate weather has 
allowed growers to get a jump on their harvest.

Fruits and Nuts: Recent hot weather has sped up maturing fruit, but has also 
caused splitting in some plums in the southern Willamette Valley. Rain during 
the week, and wind over the weekend caused some tree fruit to drop 
prematurely. Hazelnuts were beginning to drop. Berry harvest was just about 
complete. Some early wine grapes were being harvested throughout the 
Willamette Valley, in southern Oregon, and in Wasco County.  Winter pear 
harvest continued in the lower and mid Hood River Valley. Growers in the 
upper valley prepared for winter pear harvest. Gala apples were harvested 
throughout the Valley. Rain early in the week caused only slight disruptions 
to harvest.

Nurseries and Greenhouses: Many greenhouses are now done for the season and 
were preparing for fall. Nursery cover crops were growing well and ground 
preparation was ongoing for fall plantings. Nurseries also remained busy with 
stock care and plenty of watering and plant feeding.  

Livestock, Range and Pasture: Pastures in western Oregon started to improve 
with some welcomed rain last week. More precipitation is needed as most areas 
remained very dry. Livestock producers, in eastern Oregon, were grazing CRP 
acres with some also moving cattle into wheat stubble. Livestock remained in 
good condition throughout the State.

                Soil Moisture-Week Ending 09/09/07                
------------------------------------------------------------------
                :   Very    :           :             :           
                :   short   :   Short   :  Adequate   :  Surplus  
------------------------------------------------------------------
                :                     Percent                     
                :                                                 
Topsoil         :    34          44           22            0     
Subsoil         :    43          41           16            0     
------------------------------------------------------------------

                       Crop Progress-Week Ending 09/09/07                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                :   This    :   Last    :   Last    :  5 year   
              Crop              :   week    :   week    :   year    :  average  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                :                    Percent                    
                                :                                               
Alfalfa hay, third cutting      :   92          69          67          13      
Winter wheat planted            :    8           -           9           3      
Barley harvested                :   98          95          96          95      
                                :                                               
Days suitable for fieldwork     :    6.5         6.5         7.0         6.8    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Crop Condition-Week Ending 09/09/07                           
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :   Very    :           :           :           :               
           Crop          :   poor    :   Poor    :   Fair    :   Good    :   Excellent   
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :                            Percent                            
                         :                                                               
Range and pasture        :    22          36          28           8             6       
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 WESTERN OREGON                                 

BENTON\LINN\LANE: The variable hot and cold weather has been causing minor 
problems in the fruit industry. Grass seed and mint harvest is complete. 
Temperatures were up over 90 degrees this past week.  The hot weather has 
started to split the plums. Rain and wind caused about a 30-45 percent drop 
in the peach crop. Some premature pears were dropping and all were ripening 
very quickly. Apples were being harvested. Sizing of grapes has been 
irregular due to some poor pollination and the hot and cool weather. 
Vegetables are in full production. Many greenhouses are done for the season 
and are preparing for the fall.  

CLACKAMAS: We received a good hard rain Monday night and Tuesday morning with 
a total very close to one inch. Grass pastures are starting to grow. Good 
soil moisture for new seedings. Some Red Clover seed is still in the swath 
waiting for a hot day. Grass and grain straw are also waiting for some drying 
time to finish baling. Lots of fall tillage is going on and there isn't quite 
so much dust now. Seed prices, grain prices, and hay prices are great.

COOS/CURRY: . There was 55 inches of rain on Tuesday extended heavily grazed 
pasture. Most grasses are decadent. Low temperatures were slightly above the 
5-year average this week in both Coos and Curry counties. Highs were about 8 
degrees above the 5-year average in Coos and about 11 degrees above the 5-
year average in Curry. Some precipitation fell early in the week in both Coos 
and Curry, and breezy conditions persisted. Bandon (Coos & Northern Curry): 
Low temperature for the period was 52.04 degrees, 4.27 degrees above the 5-
year average. High temperature for the period was 74.9 degrees, 7.92 degrees 
above the 5-year average. Precipitation for the period was 0.27 inches, 
compared to a 5-year (including drought years 2002-2004) average of 0.09 
inches. Precipitation for Current weather year precipitation stands at 57.69 
inches, 0.18 inches above the 5 year average. Historical average 
precipitation through September is 60.40 inches. Brookings (Southern Curry) 
Low temperature for the period was 50.89 degrees, 1.95 degrees above the 5-
year average. High temperature for the period was 89.8 degrees, 10.98 degrees 
above the 5-year average. Precipitation for the period was 0.69 inches, over 
4 days, compared to a 5-year average (including drought years 2002-2004) of 
0.15 inches. Current weather year precipitation stands at 80.03 inches, 0.54 
inches above the 5 year average. Historical average precipitation through 
September is 73.48 inches.

JACKSON: There is still more ground being disked for fall planting. There is 
also still a little bit of grass and alfalfa hay being made. It was a good 
week for drying hay. Apple and pear harvest continued as sugar levels came up 
to a desired level. Wine grapes are looking good and will soon be ready for 
harvest. Lots of vegetables are for sale. U-pick road side stands and 
farmer's markets are showing that it's time to get fresh vegetables. 
Nurseries are busy with stock care and plenty of watering and plant feeding. 
There are still some ongoing sales, but fall seedlings are of primary 
importance. Lots of cattle are on the lower irrigation pastures. Most 
livestock are looking good. Spring babies are now getting to a good size. 
Fruit harvest, vegetable harvest, hay making, and lots of irrigating made up 
most of the week's work. Day-time temperatures reached near 90 degrees and 
nights dropped to 50 degrees. The cooler nights helped by making some night 
time dew, but we could use some more rain to get fall pastures started. 

JOSEPHINE: It was hot and dry today with 10-25 mile an hour winds off and on 
throughout the day. Night-time temperatures in the high 40's to high 50's. 
Day-time highs ranged from 93 to 98 degrees. Allergy sufferers are feeling 
the effects. Early wine grapes are being harvested. Late wine grapes are just 
getting ready to harvest. We haven't had any really cold weather to get the 
sugars going in the grapes or apples. Truck gardens are still doing good 
business with tomatoes, corn, squash, melons, green beans, eggplant, etc. 

MARION: A good rain this week shut down any combining that was not finished. 
Most field crops are harvested. Many fields are being worked for fall 
planting of grasses and grains. Field burning has been very limited so far.

WASHINGTON: Red clover harvest for seed is nearly finished. Field corn is 
earing up.  
Blueberries are winding down and blackberries are close to a finish. Filberts 
are dropping. The nuts are large, but a smaller overall crop is expected. 
Sweet corn harvest for processors is going strong. Squashes are sizing well 
and tomatoes are abundant. Nursery cover crops are growing well and ground 
preparation is ongoing for fall plantings. Pastures remain dry making the 
feeding of supplemental forage necessary. High temperature of 88 degrees with 
a low of 42 degrees. The high humidity was 60 percent with a low of 22 
percent.   

YAMHILL: Peach harvest continues. Warm and sunny weather is enhancing the 
rate of fruit maturation. Fall planting has begun. Some Red Clover is still 
waiting for combines to run through it. Sweet corn harvest has begun. 
Hazelnuts are just starting to drop and grapes should begin any day now.

                                 EASTERN OREGON                                 

GILLIAM: Cooler temperatures and good soil moisture has helped fall seeding 
progress.

GRANT: Everything remains dry and we could really use some moisture.

HOOD RIVER: Winter pear harvest continued in the lower and mid Hood River 
Valley. Growers in the upper valley prepared for winter pear harvest. Gala 
apples were harvested throughout the valley. Rain early in the week caused 
only slight disruptions to harvest.

LAKE: No precipitation during the week or weekend. Morning and evening 
temperatures remained cool with afternoon high temperatures in the mid-80's.

MALHEUR: Day-time high temperatures are still 5-10 degrees above normal, and 
night-time lows are about normal. This general moderation has allowed onion 
growers to start harvesting. Consequently, harvest is progressing slowly 
because of sluggish market factors. Most irrigation reservoirs have been 
shut-off. Harvest of corn for silage is in full swing. Field preparation for 
fall seeding of wheat is beginning. Potato harvest is about finished with 
beans following closely behind. Field corn is still maturing. Haying 
continues. A severe weather cell passed through on Tuesday, September 4. High 
wind materialized but rain did not. Conditions remain dry. We need rain.

SHERMAN: A new organic food distribution center opened with a public show. 
Fall fertilizing is just beginning, but soil moisture in fallow ground is 
very low. This may cause a delay in seeding dates or choice of drills. There 
was a good sized crowd at the fall opening of a marketing club. They are 
trying to find a perfect strategy for grain marketing. Cooler temperatures 
are welcomed, but last week was hot and dry with no wind, which made it 
hotter yet. The Fair was big success.

WALLOWA: Good moisture at the start of this week plus some from the end of 
last week has helped settle the dust, but not much else. Fall temperatures 
are beginning to appear. Many livestock producers are grazing CRP acres.

WASCO: Dry weather prevailed throughout the week. Fieldwork included 
fertilizing, weeding, and getting ready for fall grain seeding. Rain is 
needed too improve seeding conditions. Nectarines, peaches, pears, and apples 
continued to be harvested in the Northern end of the county. Table grapes 
were being picked in home gardens, commercial wine grapes will be picked 
later. Growers are currently testing the grapes for sugar levels. Alfalfa hay 
operations are winding down for this year's season. The cattle were still 
doing fairly well on dry pastures, and a few are even being moved onto wheat 
stubble. Stockmen are currently purchasing and filling their barns with 
alfalfa hay for the winter months.

                     Weather data for selected stations in Oregon, Week ending: September 9, 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        :  45      84      63      +4        94      +25     0.02     -0.52     1      0.02     -0.66       3        1   
  Bandon 8/              :  52      75      63      +5        95      +39     0.27     -0.08     2      0.27     -0.16      63        2   
  Crescent City          :  45      67      57      -3        52      -11     0.27     -0.06     1      0.27     -0.14      66        1   
  Florence               :  39      91      61      +1        81       +4     0.94      0.48     1      0.94      0.36     162        1   
  North Bend             :  46      88      61      +2        81      +14     0.24     -0.11     1      0.24     -0.20      55        1   
  Tillamook              :  41      90      63      +5        92      +31     0.06     -0.65     1      0.06     -0.83       7        1   
WILLAMETTE               :                                                                                                                
 VALLEY                  :                                                                                                                
  Aurora 8/              :  45      90      67      +4       122      +26     0.32     -0.03     1      0.32     -0.13      71        1   
  Corvallis              :  47      90      66      +4       117      +21     0.40      0.11     1      0.40      0.03     108        1   
  Detroit Lake 8/        :  44      89      65      +7       105      +44     0.11     -0.34     1      0.11     -0.46      19        1   
  Eugene                 :  43      91      66      +2       111       +6     0.12     -0.23     1      0.12     -0.33      27        1   
  Hillsboro              :  42      86      64      +2       102      +11     0.17     -0.15     1      0.17     -0.23      43        1   
  McMinnville            :  42      89      66      +2       111      +14     0.09     -0.23     1      0.09     -0.31      23        1   
  Portland               :  52      87      68      +3       128      +18     0.14     -0.25     1      0.14     -0.35      29        1   
  Salem                  :  46      91      66      +3       112      +14     0.48      0.18     1      0.48      0.10     126        1   
SW VALLEYS               :                                                                                                                
  Grants Pass            :  47      90      65      -4       104      -19     0.19      0.04     2      0.19      0.00     100        2   
  Medford                :  49      96      71      +3       145      +16     0.01     -0.18     1      0.01     -0.22       4        1   
  Roseburg               :  48      94      68      +3       130      +18     0.41      0.17     1      0.41      0.11     137        1   
NORTH CENTRAL            :                                                                                                                
  Condon                 :  44      88      63      +4        94      +20     0.02     -0.19     1      0.02     -0.25       7        1   
  Echo 8/                :  39      88      68      +2       125      +10     0.01     -0.13     1      0.01     -0.17       6        1   
  Heppner                :  43      89      65      +1       103       +5     0.27      0.12     1      0.35      0.16     184        2   
  Hermiston              :  38      89      68      +2       126      +11     0.01     -0.13     1      0.01     -0.17       6        1   
  Madras 8/              :  38      86      61      +0        80       -3     0.16      0.02     2      0.16     -0.02      89        2   
  Moro                   :  40      85      64      +2        99      +12     0.04     -0.10     1      0.04     -0.14      22        1   
  Parkdale 8/            :  39      84      61      -3        76      -14     0.01     -0.23     1      0.01     -0.29       3        1   
  Pendleton              :  40      88      66      -2       109       -8     -        -0.14     -      0.01     -0.16       6        1   
  Prairie City 8/        :  38      86      61      +0        80       -3     0.16      0.02     2      0.16     -0.02      89        2   
  The Dalles             :  44      93      70      +8       138      +50     -        -0.14     -      -        -0.18       -        -   
SOUTH CENTRAL            :                                                                                                                
  Agency Lake 8/         :  34      82      57      +0        53       -4     0.11     -0.03     1      0.11     -0.07      61        1   
  Bend                   :  37      87      60      +3        72      +12     0.48      0.34     1      0.48      0.30     267        1   
  Burns                  :  29      91      60      +2        73      +12     0.08     -0.06     2      0.09     -0.09      50        3   
  Christmas Valley 8/    :  26      86      56      -7        45      -40     0.09     -0.05     1      0.09     -0.09      50        1   
  Klamath Falls          :  39      83      61      -1        81       -4     -        -0.14     -      -        -0.18       -        -   
  Klamath Falls 8/       :  42      83      62      +1        88       +3     -        -0.14     -      -        -0.18       -        -   
  Lakeview               :  37      88      61      +1        79       +5     -        -0.14     -      -        -0.18       -        -   
  Lorella 8/             :  36      86      59      -3        65      -20     -        -0.14     -      -        -0.18       -        -   
  Redmond                :  30      87      59      -1        67       -4     0.34      0.20     1      0.34      0.16     189        1   
  Worden 8/              :  35      85      59      -4        61      -24     0.02     -0.12     1      0.02     -0.16      11        1   
NORTHEAST                :                                                                                                                
  Baker City             :  36      95      60      +1        75       +0     0.26      0.05     1      0.26     -0.01      96        1   
  Joseph                 :  40      84      60      +6        73      +26     0.75      0.47     1      0.94      0.58     261        2   
  La Grande              :  36      91      63      +0        93       +0     -        -0.22     -      0.01     -0.29       3        1   
  Union                  :  37      97      65      +5       105      +28     0.42      0.14     1      0.42      0.06     117        1   
SOUTHEAST                :                                                                                                                
  Ontario                :  47      98      69      +3       138      +20     0.01     -0.13     1      0.01     -0.17       6        1   
  Rome                   :  32      99      65      +2       103      +10     0.01     -0.13     1      0.05     -0.13      28        2   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, 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.