May 21 2019 Crop Update
Updated 21 May 2019
Pacific Northwest
Timothy
Columbia Basin, Washington
It is still very early in the growing season but if weather is good for growing conditions first cutting could be sometime around the first or second week of June
Ellensburg, Washington
If weather is good first cutting could begin sometime around the middle to third week of June.
Idaho
Normal harvest is anticipated and should be starting around the third week of June or 4th week at the latest. The entire area got quite a bit of rain last week and this past weekend which should give them enough moisture to have a fairly decent crop for 2019. There is currently more rain in the forecast for this week.
Alfalfa
Columbia Basin, Washington
A portion of Columbia Basin growers began harvesting alfalfa the 2nd week of May. The following week some growers were able to get their fields baled and stored prior to several days of rain, but for many of those that cut early they were impacted by the weather. The rain lasted for several days. The weather has also turned cooler. Subsequently it will create some challenges to get product to dry and out of the field. In speaking to some growers who have not yet cut they are waiting for some potential rain this week in hopes of avoiding having their alfalfa hay damaged.
Ellensburg, Washington
1st cutting could begin sometime next week depending upon weather conditions.
Oregon
Is expected to be about 2 to 3 weeks late this year and may begin around the middle of June.
WEATHER
May 2019 Crop Update
Updated May 8, 2019
Timothy– Pacific Northwest
Columbia Basin, Washington – Timothy in some parts of the Basin is at knee height, so growth is coming along well.
Ellensburg Washington - Too early in the season to comment
Idaho - Too early in the season to comment
Alfalfa
Pacific Northwest
Columbia Basin, Washington – Some first cutting has begun in the South Basin and other areas will be underway soon. Cutting will be spread out over the next couple of weeks depending on the location in the Columbia Basin.
Ellensburg, Washington – Too early in the season to comment
Oregon, Klamath Falls and Christmas Valley - Too early in the season to comment
Pacific Southwest
California – 1st Cutting Alfalfa has been harvested. Quality has looked good so far.
1st Cutting Alfalfa
Quality is good.
Kleingrass & Bermuda Hay
Pacific Southwest, California
Klein Hay - Early fields are being harvested right now. Material is available to see in the bale now, more on the way.
Bermuda Hay - Will update at a later time.
Bermuda Straw - Will be available around the end of July
Sudan
Pacific Southwest
California - Fields are starting to grow more rapidly as temperatures rise. Sudan is between 1 to 2 feet high at the current time. Early Sudan is expected to be cut and harvested near the end of May.
Pacific Northwest
Ellensburg, Washington - Too early in the season to comment
Straw
Pacific Northwest
Oregon
Eastern Oregon – Too early in the season to comment
Western Oregon – Too early in the season to comment
Washington
Columbia Basin – Too early in the season to comment
September Crop Update
Updated September 5, 2018
Timothy
Columbia Basin, Washington (PNW)
2nd cutting is about 50% complete. At this time there is a good range of different grades available.
Ellensburg, Washington (PNW)
2nd cutting is about 50% complete and quality is good so far.
Idaho (PNW)
1st cutting was good. More than half of the crop is low premium to premium grade.
Klamath Falls & Christmas Valley, Oregon (PNW)
2nd cutting timothy is complete.
Alfalfa
Columbia Basin, Washington (PNW)
3rd cutting is complete. Much of 3rd cutting was impacted by the persistent smoke layer which delayed the drying time resulting in bleachy product.
Ellensburg, Washington (PNW)
3rd cutting is early in the harvest. Quality is anticipated to be good.
Idaho (PNW)
3rd cutting is complete in Western Idaho. Eastern Idaho will begin their 3rd cutting in approximately 2 weeks.
Oregon (PNW)
Klamath Falls and Christmas Valley: Klamath Falls 2nd cutting alfalfa was fair quality. The domestic dairy market purchased a lot of material.
California (PSW)
6th cutting is completed.
Kleingrass & Bermuda Hay (California, PSW)
Bermuda
Bermuda Hay: 2nd cutting after seeds will be harvest in a couple of weeks.
Kleingrass
3rd cutting is complete.
Sudan
California (PSW)
2nd cutting will be close to finished in a couple weeks.
Ellensburg, Washington (PNW)
Sudan harvest is complete. Quality is consistently good.
Straw
Willamette Valley, Oregon (PNW)
Harvest is complete. Good quality of non-rained on product.
Eastern Oregon (PNW) Perennial Ryegrass Straw
Perennial Ryegrass harvest is almost complete. Good quality. Volume is anticipated to be in short supply due to Ryegrass fields being planted in other crops.
Columbia Basin, Washington (PNW) Fescue Straw
Fescue Straw harvest is complete. Quality is good and volume is anticipated to be similar as last year.
Columbia Basin, Washington (PNW) Bluegrass Straw
Bluegrass straw harvest is complete.
August Crop Update
Updated August 10, 2018
Timothy
Columbia Basin, Washington (PNW)
1st cutting is complete
Ellensburg, Washington (PNW)
1st cutting is complete.
Idaho (PNW)
1st cutting is complete.
Klamath Falls & Christmas Valley, Oregon (PNW)
1st cutting is complete. 1st cutting had high prices as a large portion sold domestically to California and some to Nebraska.
Alfalfa
Columbia Basin, Washington (PNW)
3rd cutting has begun in the South Basin. Cutting will continue to gradually move from the South Basin to the North Basin for the next week to week and half, weather permitting. Slight rain showers are predicted in the forecast early next week.
Ellensburg, Washington (PNW)
2nd cutting is complete.
Idaho (PNW)
2nd cutting in Eastern Idaho is underway and is expected to finish within the next week to week and half, weather permitting. Warmer weather is forecasted for the weekend and into next week. 3rd cutting is underway in Western Idaho.
Oregon (PNW)
Klamath Falls and Christmas Valley: Klamath Falls area is being cut now. Baling will begin early next week. Some 2nd cutting received rain damage, however, good weather is forecasted going forward.
California (PSW)
6th cutting is completed.
Kleingrass & Bermuda Hay (California, PSW)
Bermuda
Bermuda Hay: 1st cutting after taking the seeds has begun.
Kleingrass
3rd cutting is completed.
Sudan
California (PSW)
2nd Cutting has been underway for two weeks.
Ellensburg, Washington (PNW)
Sudan harvest in Kittitas Valley is anticipated to begin within the next week, weather permitting. Cooler weather temperatures are expected over the weekend.
Straw
Willamette Valley, Oregon (PNW)
Baling of straw is finishing up. Weather has remained favorable throughout harvest.
Eastern Oregon (PNW) Perennial RyegrassStraw
Perennial Ryegrass is actively being harvested and baled.
Columbia Basin, Washington (PNW) Fescue Straw
Fescue Straw is actively being harvested and baled.
Columbia Basin, Washington (PNW) Bluegrass Straw
Bluegrass straw harvest is complete.
June Crop Update
Updated June 15th, 2018
Timothy
Columbia Basin, Washington (PNW)
More and more fields are being cut now. The weather has been cooler again this week. However, warmer weather patterns are forecasted beginning this weekend through next week.
Ellensburg, Washington (PNW)
More and more fields are being cut now. The weather has been cooler again this week. However, warmer weather patterns are forecasted beginning this weekend through next week
Idaho (PNW)
There is rain forecasted over the weekend. With good weather beginning next week. Early fields are expected to begin cutting later end of next week with cutting continuing through the first part of June.
Klamath Falls & Christmas Valley, Oregon (PNW)
New crop harvest is expected to begin late July.
Alfalfa
Columbia Basin, Washington (PNW)
1st cutting is complete.
Ellensburg, Washington (PNW)
1st cutting is nearly complete.
Idaho (PNW)
Southwest Idaho: 1st cutting is nearly complete, a large portion of those fields have been rained on.
Southeast Idaho: 70% of the fields have been cut, some of which will be baled and stored before the weekend. There are rain showers forecasted through this weekend, so it is expected that the fields that are not able to be baled and stored prior to the weekend will be rained on. We anticipate for the the remaining fields to begin cutting on Monday.
Northern Idaho: Rain is forecasted through this weekend, with warmer weather patterns beginning next week. 1st cutting is expected to begin following the weekend. With the majority of the fields being cut next week, due to the good weather window forecasted.
Oregon (PNW)
Eastern Oregon: 1st cutting is complete, with 2nd cutting just around the corner.
Klamath Falls: Klamath Falls received around a 1/2 inch of rain over this past weekend and over 50% of the fields that were cut received rain damage.
Christmas Valley: Some early cut fields were not able to be baled and stored before the rain showers began last weekend, therefore receiving rain damage. However, the weather is expected to improve now. We anticipate cutting to begin soon with a break in the weather.
California (PSW)
4th cutting is being cut now.
Kleingrass & Bermuda Hay (California, PSW)
Bermuda
Bermuda Hay: 1st cutting is becoming available, however supply is very limited due to very high prices on seed.
Bermuda Straw: New crop will be available in August.
Kleingrass
2nd cutting harvest has been underway since last week.
Sudan
California (PSW)
Early Sudan will be gradual from now, onward. Acreage for new crop Sudan has increased by about 14% compared to 2017 crop.
Ellensburg, Washington (PNW)
Sudan harvest in Kittitas Valley will be early-mid August forward.
Straw
Willamette Valley, Oregon (PNW)
The straw harvest is on schedule to begin around the 1st week of July. Willamette Valley has received a lot of rain over the last week. New plantings are slightly up around 5-7% but overall we anticipate the same yields as 2017 crop year.
Eastern Oregon (PNW) Perennial RyegrassStraw
Harvest is expected to begin around the 3rd week of July.
Columbia Basin, Washington (PNW) Fescue Straw
Harvest is expected to begin the first week of July.
Columbia Basin, Washington (PNW) Bluegrass Straw
Harvest is expected to begin the first week of July.