Northwest Region Crop Progress and Condition for August 20, 2023 – Morning Ag Clips –

CROP PROGRESS ... Hot and dry weather enveloped the area last week

PUBLISHED ON August 22, 2023

In Yakima County, Washington, temperatures started high in the triple digits but gradually dropped to the 80s by the weekend. (Kseniia Zaitseva/Unsplash)

OLYMPIA, Wash. USDA NASS released its Northwest Region Crop Progress and Condition Report for the week ending August 20, 2023.

Idaho Remained Warm with Areas of Heavy Rains There were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork in Idaho, an increase from 6.0 days the previous week. Temperatures were warmer than average throughout Idaho. Southern Idaho received isolated thunderstorms that produced heavy precipitation in some areas. Jerome and Twin Falls Counties experienced warm, dry weather for the week. More acres of potatoes were vine killed and rolled. Some dry bean fields began to turn color. Eastern Idaho reported heavy rains at the end of the week. Bannock, Bingham, and Butte Counties received moisture from two weather events over the past week. Potato yields looked promising across the area.

Hot, Dry, and Hazy in Oregon There were 7.0 days suitable for fieldwork in Oregon, unchanged from the previous week. Temperatures were moderate with mild to dry conditions. The northwest region of Oregon reported that irrigation had been essential for maintaining horticulture crops. Heat put stress on berry crops. Corn was in the tassel stage and growing well in western Oregon. Morrow County suffered from a lack of rainfall with hot and dry conditions. There was an on-going haze over the region generated by regional wildfires. In Baker County, parts of the region received rainstorms. The rain slowed wheat and hay harvests. In Malheur County, mint and hay harvest continued, early onion harvest began, and potato harvest ramped up.

Hot and Dry Weather in Washington There were 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 6.6 days reported the previous week. Western Washington saw drought conditions spread. Producers reported dustbowl-like conditions, with farmers avoiding working in fields due to the dust. Some wells began drying out in Whatcom County. Central Washington experienced more hot and dry weather. In Yakima County, temperatures started high in the triple digits but gradually dropped to the 80s by the weekend. A few wildfires were reported, air quality dropped to unhealthy over the weekend, and visibility was compromised. Tree fruit harvest picked up with peaches, nectarines, early maturing apples, and Bartlett pears. Vegetable harvest included summer and winter squashes, melons, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and cucumbers. Northeast Washington saw continued dry conditions. Bluegrass did not fare well this year. Wheat producers reported an average crop. Livestock grazing looked okay, but producers began requesting drought assistance from FSA. In east central Washington, producers stopped harvesting and switched to seeding. Southeast Washington also saw hot and dry weather.

USDA NASS

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Northwest Region Crop Progress and Condition for August 20, 2023 - Morning Ag Clips -