Looking ahead: USDA sees good farming conditions, forecasts lower WA wheat harvest

OLYMPIA — Warmer weather and lots of sunshine in mid-May prompted a lot of farmers in the Columbia Basin to get out into the field and plant, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. “Central Washington had a great week for farming,” said the weekly Crop Progress and Condition report for the Pacific Northwest for the week ending May 14. “‘Tractors cultivated, seeded and sprayed while cattle were let out into nice spring pastures.” The report said crops looked good across Central Washington but more rain was needed, and authors specifically noted that in Adams County, which is heavily planted with dry-farm wheat, topsoil moisture was reduced.