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.