State’s crops need ‘more rain and less heat’

Most counties in Washington were too dry and needed rain the past week, according to a weekly roundup of statewide farm conditions by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistical Service.

Despite tough temperatures, pasture conditions were good to excellent condition on nearly three-quarters of all sites.

The agency reported temperatures ranged from a low of 32 degrees to 101 degrees, running four to 12 degrees above normal.

Cattle and other livestock looked “fleshy” and hay and alfalfa producers wrapped up their first cuttings with some beginning on the second.

Raspberries were ahead of schedule in Snohomish and Washington counties and strawberry harvests were in full swing. Cherry harvest began early in Chelan, Douglas and Grant counties. Cherries were of “good size” but yields were lower than expected, NASS said.

Workers in Yakima were seen weeding hops, melons, peppers and other vegetables while peas were flowering early in Adams, Columbia and Walla Walla counties due to excessive heat. Rust continued to be a problem for wheat producers throughout the state, with some spraying two to three times already, NASS said.

“More rain and less heat needed,” it said.

This story was originally published June 7, 2016 at 2:43 PM with the headline "State’s crops need ‘more rain and less heat’."