Pacific Northwest Crop Update

Pacific Northwest Crop Update

Pacific Northwest Crop Update

 

I’m KayDee Gilkey with the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report.

 

David Knopf, the Director of the Washington Field Office of USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service, shares last week’s crop progress update for the Pacific Northwest.

 

Knopf: “Above normal temperatures and below normal rainfall paved the way for a strong start 2012 hay season in the Pacific Northwest for the week ending May 20th. In Washington 30 percent of the first cutting of alfalfa had been harvested, 8 points better than five-year average.”

 

In Oregon, it was reported that the warm weather helped with the beginning of hay harvest with 5 percent of the alfalfa hay first cutting completed. Southern and Eastern Idaho reported that alfalfa was growing well with first cutting either underway or ready to begin soon.

 

Knopf gives a pasture update as many cattlemen have been moving their cattle to their summer pastures.

 

Knopf: “Ranges and pastures continue to provide adequate feed to grazing animals about 60 percent of the grazing lands are in good condition across the Pacific Northwest.”

 

So what is the status of small grains and row crops?

 

Knopf: “Early winter wheat fields are heading in mostly good conditions: 16 percent of the Oregon winter wheat had headed, Washington reached 15 percent, while Idaho had 1 percent headed. Farmers have finished or are finished small grain seeding while making good progress on potatoes, pulse crops and vegetables.”

 

If you are interested in more detailed information about your state or county’s crop conditions, go to www.nass.usda.gov.

 

I’m KayDee Gilkey with the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network. 

 

Previous ReportTaiwan Table-Stocks Seminar
Next ReportThinking About Grilling This Weekend? Think American Lamb.