February Ag Prices Received Index Up 7.4 Percent, Prices Paid Up 1.5 Percent

February Prices Received Index Up 7.4 Percent   

The February Prices Received Index 2011 Base (Agricultural Production), at 119.7, increased 7.4 percent from January and 26 percent from February 2021. At 114.1, the Crop Production Index was up 9.3 percent from last month and 17 percent from the previous year. The Livestock Production Index, at 126.0, increased 1.4 percent from January, and 35 percent from February last year. Producers received higher prices during February for soybeans, corn, hogs, and oranges but lower prices for broilers, broccoli, market eggs, and strawberries. In addition to prices, the volume change of commodities marketed also influences the indexes. In February, there was increased monthly movement for cattle, milk, broilers, and greenhouse & nursery and decreased marketing of soybeans, corn, tobacco, and wheat.    

February Prices Paid Index Up 1.5 Percent   

The February Prices Paid Index for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW), at 126.2, is up 1.5 percent from January 2022 and 12 percent from February 2021. In February, prices were higher for feeder pigs, nitrogen, complete feeds, and feed grains.

This Week's Drought Summary (3/31)

Two fast-moving storms impacted the Lower 48 last week. Heavy rain fell across parts of the Midwest and South, leading to broad areas of drought improvement in these regions. Parts of the West saw much-needed rainfall. In most cases, these amounts were not enough to bring relief to the region’s relentless long-term drought conditions. Pockets of dryness also continued across the northern High Plains, South, and Southeast leading to drought expansion.

Northeast

Long-term drought has been slow to improve in the Northeast despite recent rains and cool weather. Abnormal dryness (D0) improved across parts of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, where above-normal precipitation helped improve moisture deficits. Stream flows are near- to above-normal and soil moisture indicators show improvement. Other areas of improvement include parts of the Delmarva Peninsula where recent rains eliminated short-term abnormal dryness (D0). Abnormal dryness expanded over parts of West Virginia and western Maryland where precipitation deficits, stream flow measurements and soil moisture conditions have fallen below normal.

Southeast

The southeast saw a mix of improvements and worsening short-term drought conditions. Rainfall totals from 1.5 to more than 3 inches brought relief to moderate drought in parts of coastal South Carolina and abnormally dry areas in North Carolina, Alabama and near the Georgia-Florida border. Precipitation indicators and stream flow measurements show improvements in these areas. Moderate drought expanded across a large swath of southern Georgia, an area that has continued to miss out on surplus rainfall. Pockets of abnormal dryness and/or drought expanded in consistently dry areas of North and South Carolina and southwest Alabama. Indicators supporting drought expansion in the southeast include 60-to-90-day precipitation deficits, declining soil moisture and below-normal stream flow.

South

This week the South saw drought worsen across west and south Texas and the Oklahoma Panhandle. Above-normal temperatures combined with below-normal precipitation and high winds exacerbated conditions. Drought indicators supporting the degradations include increasing precipitation deficits, dry surface and root zone soil moisture and low stream flow. State drought teams noted reports of blowing dust and crop failures in the area. Drought also expanded across southern Louisiana. This area has been in severe drought (D2) since March without any relief in weeks. One-category improvements were made to drought conditions across east Texas, southern Arkansas, north and central Louisiana and Mississippi in areas where the heaviest rain (3 inches or more) fell and where warranted by short-term precipitation indicators, streamflow, soil moisture and other measures.

Midwest

Above-normal precipitation combined with below temperatures led to improvements across much of the Midwest this week. Until recently, the region hadn’t had enough precipitation to warrant improvements to deficits that had been building since spring last year. Now, virtually all short-term drought has been eliminated. This is denoted by the removal of the S designation on the map. Long-term drought remains where precipitation deficits of 6 months or longer exist and where deeper soil moisture and groundwater indicators have yet to recover.

High Plains

Much of the High Plains remained dry last week resulting in deteriorating drought conditions across parts of the Dakotas and Nebraska. The eastern edges of abnormal dryness (D0) and moderate drought (D1) crept eastward. Severe drought (D2) expanded over a large swath from southwest North Dakota to central Nebraska. Extreme drought spread in central Nebraska. Short-term dryness is superimposed over long-term moisture deficits across the region. The lack of seasonal snow cover combined with the onset of spring has people in the region worried. Soil moisture is very low, stream flows continue to decline and state reports indicate that stock ponds are drying up.

West

Parts of the West saw much needed precipitation with rain over the West Coast and higher elevation snow over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In most cases, these amounts were not enough to bring relief to drought conditions that have plagued the region for months. Only western Oregon saw minor improvements to abnormal dryness (D0) and moderate drought (D1) in response to recent precipitation. Across much of the West, higher than normal temperatures last week caused premature snow melt, with snowpack values plummeting over just a few days. The California Department of Water Resources noted that about one-third of the water equivalency disappeared in a week. Extreme drought (D3) expanded in northern California, parts of Utah, and New Mexico. In these locations, the warm weather has led to increased evaporative demand and stress on vegetation. The rest of the West remained unchanged this week.

Caribbean

In Puerto Rico, abnormal dryness (D0) expanded as precipitation deficits began to build and soil moisture, streamflow, and well data showed declining values.

A dry upper-level ridge inhibited precipitation across the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) during this USDM week (March 23-29). But enough moisture lingered over the region to support the development of showers triggered by afternoon heating. Satellite and radar-based analyses indicated less than half an inch of precipitation fell across the islands. Groundwater levels continued to fall on St. John and St. Croix, but leveled off on St. Thomas. A cold front was approaching the region as the week ended. Above-normal rainfall this week improved the drought status on St. Thomas, but no change was made to the depiction on St. Croix or St. John.

On St. John, 7-day rain gauge totals were about a third of an inch. This is below the weekly long-term average computed for the station at Windswept Beach. Month-to-date rainfall totals at the CoCoRaHS stations ranged from 2.08 inches to 2.57 inches. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was at D1 levels at the 6-month time scale. The groundwater level at the USGS Susannaberg DPW 3 Well at St. John has steadily declined over the last month, and continued to decline this week, with depth to water at 19.16 feet, which is the lowest level since 2017. D1-L continued for St. John.

Seven-day precipitation totals at CoCoRaHS stations on St. Thomas ranged from 0.16 inch to 0.72 inch. King AP recorded 0.61 inch, which is above normal. Monthly totals ranged from 1.65 inches to 3.74 inches. The value of 2.67 inches at King AP was 155% of normal for the month-to-date. The SPI at King AP was at D1 levels for the last 6 to 12 months. The rainfall total since the last big wet season system (8/25-3/28) is 17.14 inches, which is ninth driest for the period (16th percentile). The groundwater level at the USGS Grade School 3 Well at St. Thomas has held steady over the last week after steadily declining over the last month. D2-L was improved to D1-L for St. Thomas this week due to above-normal rainfall and moderating groundwater levels.

The CoCoRaHS weekly precipitation totals on St. Croix ranged from 0.13 to 0.86 inch, with about half of them below a third of an inch and half above. Month-to-date totals at the CoCoRaHS stations ranged from 2.13 to 3.69 inches, with most below 3.00 inches. The weather station at East Hill had 0.17 inch for the week, which is below normal, but 2.76 inches for the month to date, which is 193% of normal. Rohlsen AP reported 0.01 inch for the week and 0.81 inch for the month. The weekly total was below normal, and the monthly total was 54% of normal. The rainfall total since the last big wet season system (8/25-3/20) is 16.24 inches, which is 8th driest for the period (13th percentile). The SPI at Rohlsen AP and East Hill was in the D1 range at the 6- to 12-month time scales. The groundwater level at the USGS Adventure 28 Well at St. Croix has steadily declined over the last year, and continued to decline this week, with depth to water at 31.12 feet, which is the lowest level in the 2016-present record. D2-L continued for St. Croix.

Pacific

Alaska remained free of drought or abnormal dryness this week.

In Hawaii, Enhanced trade wind rainfall and thunderstorms last week brought much needed rainfall to some parts of the state. While this eased some windward drought, the leeward areas did not get much rainfall. As a result, drought has worsened on portions of the Big Island and Maui. On the Big Island, moderate (D1) and extreme (D3) drought expanded. Satellite data and rancher reports indicate extremely poor pasture conditions. In Maui, extreme drought (D3) expanded. In contrast, wet conditions in the middle of the week helped ease drought conditions along the windward slopes of Oahu and Kauai.

Several tropical weather features brought rain to parts of Micronesia during this USDM week (March 23-29). These included Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) convection in the east, a near-equatorial trough in the west, and weak trade-wind troughs. An upper-level low, or TUTT cell, migrated westward across northern portions of the region; it enhanced showers over the Marshall Islands. The TUTT cell, along with a surface trough and cold front/shear line, triggered showers near the Marianas, but these systems did not produce much rain as they moved across the Marianas. Showers associated with the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) moved northward across the Samoan Islands, giving Tutuila a wet week. Satellite-based analyses of 7-day precipitation (QPE) showed a band of 2+ inches of rain that stretched from the southern Marshall Islands (RMI) westward across the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) to the Republic of Palau. Lesser amounts fell north and south of this band. The satellite QPE indicated over an inch of rain fell over Tutuila. Conditions improved with abnormal dryness ending in the southern RMI and northern Chuuk State, but abnormal dryness returned in southern Pohnpei State.

The week was wet in Palau and American Samoa. The weekly minimum precipitation required to meet most water needs is 2 inches in Palau and 1 inch in American Samoa. Airai received 1.92 inches for the week but Koror COOP station recorded 2.70 inches, and both stations had more than the monthly minimum of 8 inches, so D-Nothing continued in Palau. Pago Pago (2.80 inches) and the automated stations at Siufaga Ridge (2.16) and Toa Ridge (1.74) had more than the 1-inch weekly minimum, and all 3 stations were above the monthly minimum to date, so D-Nothing continued for Tutuila.

In the Marianas, less than half an inch of rain was recorded this week at Rota (0.23) and Saipan (0.17 inch at the ASOS gauge, 0.33 at the IAP, and 0.39 at the NPS station) and less than an inch fell at Guam (0.83). The weekly minimum is 1 inch for the Marianas. The month-to-date totals at Guam (1.82) and Rota (1.91) were below the monthly minimum for this time in the month. Reports indicate vegetation on Guam was brown in some areas but green in others, and wildfires have been fairly common in the hills of southern Guam. The KBDI (a fire drought index) reached into the extreme category (with a value of 738) by the end of the USDM week. Dry air, a high KBDI, and strong winds associated with the cold front/shear line created critical fire weather conditions on Guam, triggering the issuance of a fire weather watch and Red Flag Warning. D1-S continued on Guam and D0-S continued on Rota and Saipan.

In the FSM, weekly rain gauge totals in the ITCZ rainfall band ranged from 3.84 inches at Woleai to 6.05 inches at Nukuoro. D-Nothing continued at the locations within the band. To the south, Kapingamarangi had no measurable rain this week; with the last 3 weeks dry, D0-S was introduced at Kapingamarangi. To the north, Chuuk recorded 1.65 inches of rain this week, but had very wet conditions the 3 previous weeks and a wet month (13.36 inches for March so far), so D0-S ended. With a third of an inch of rain (based on data received) for the week and only 4.89 inches for the month, D1-S continued at Fananu. D0-S continued at Yap, which received 0.64 inch of rain this week, and Ulithi (0.81 inch). Lukunor had a dry week (0.59 inch) but a wet month-to-date (7.75 inches), so D-Nothing continued.

The southern Marshall Islands were in the wet ITCZ band, while the northern Marshalls were mostly dry. Wotje received 0.75 inch of rain for the week and 2.55 inches for the month so far, both of which are below their respective minimums. D3-SL continued for Wotje. D0-S ended at Kwajalein and Majuro, where the weekly rainfall totals were 3.87 and 7.26 inches, respectively, and month-to-date totals were 11.07 and 17.30 inches, respectively. With weekly totals over 3 inches, D-Nothing continued at Ailinglaplap (5.57 inches of rain for the week), Jaluit (7.35), and Mili (3.51). Monthly rainfall totals were over 15 inches at these three stations.

Looking Ahead

The National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center forecast (valid March 31 – April 7) calls for heavy rain and storms ahead of an advancing cold front extending from south of Lake Michigan to East Texas. Storms will progress eastward through the remainder of the week. The Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, and New England can expect snow/freezing rain. Heavy rain and mountain snow are expected from the Pacific Northwest to the Rockies. Moving into next week, the Climate Prediction Center Outlook (Valid April 7 – 13) favors above normal temperature for a large part of the West, extending from California across the Great Basin and into the southern Rockies. Meanwhile, near to above normal temperatures are favored for the Northeast and Eastern Seaboard. Below normal temperatures are expected over the eastern central CONUS. The outlook favors above normal precipitation across much of the northern tier of the Lower 48 and Alaska. Near to below normal precipitation is favored over southern areas of the West and the Southern and Central Plains.

Crop Progress - State Stories

IDAHO: Average temperatures in Idaho for the month of March varied from near normal to below normal. Accumulated precipitation for the 2022 water year also remained below normal in most regions of the State. The last week in March was warmer than average, which allowed farmers to work fields in preparation for spring planting. Northern Idaho reported decent topsoil moisture at the present time. More timely rains were need for the growing season. In southwestern Idaho, pastures started to green up. Conditions overall remained dry. Calving and lambing were both edging closer to completion. Conditions remained very good for calving and lambing with moderate temperatures and mostly dry conditions. Water supply was below normal in southwestern Idaho. In south central Idaho, field work ramped up during the last three weeks. Major activities included tillage, hauling manure, planting some cereal grains, burning ditches, and getting irrigation systems ready to go. Dry conditions continued in south central Idaho. There were a few rainstorms over the last month, however, water accumulation was minimal. Some discussion was reported concerning irrigation companies starting water deliveries later than normal and at a reduced amount. Range and pastures greened up and grass started to grow, but more rain was needed. In eastern Idaho, snow cover was mostly gone in Bonneville County. Soils were still too wet to work. Calving season progressed nicely. Bear Lake County still had several inches of snow on the ground. Warmer days caused snow to melt quickly, and large puddles of water formed in the fields. No farm progress was reported. Calving progress was behind other areas. Snow still covered most fields in Teton County. Bannock and Bingham Counties received much needed moisture in the latter half of the month. Preparations were made for spring planting. Calving and lambing neared completion. 

MONTANA: This report for Montana is for the month of March 2022. Topsoil moisture 64% very short, 32% short, 4% adequate. Subsoil moisture 57% very short, 32% short, 11% adequate. Winter wheat - condition 14% very poor, 25% poor, 50% fair, 11% good. Winter wheat – wind damage 61% none, 28% light, 9% moderate, 2% heavy. Winter wheat – freeze and drought damage 61% none, 30% light, 8% moderate, 1% heavy. Winter wheat – protectiveness of snow cover 53% very poor, 45% poor, 1% fair, 0% good, 1% excellent. Pasture and range - condition 73% very poor, 21% poor, 5% fair, 1% good. Livestock grazing accessibility – 59% open, 14% difficult, 27% closed. Livestock receiving supplemental feed – cattle and calves 97% fed. Cows calved 35%; 35% last year. Livestock receiving supplemental feed – sheep and lambs 99% fed. Ewes lambed 30%; 26% last year. Montana received minimal moisture during the month of March. Counties along the western border received 1 to 4 inches of moisture for the month. Most of the State remained exceptionally dry, with precipitation totals less than half an inch for the month. Precipitation totals for the year are 2.0 inches below normal. Temperatures for the month were mild. Average daily temperatures ranged from 1 degree below to 2 degrees above average for this time of year. According to the United States Drought Monitor for March 24, 2022, zero percent of the State is experiencing exceptional drought conditions. The amount of land rated as abnormally dry was 2.0 percent, a slight decrease from 3.0 percent at the end of February. Moderate drought was present across 2.9 percent of the State, compared to 3.0 percent at the end of February. Severe drought decreased from 37.0 percent at the end of February to 30.0 percent of the State. Extreme drought conditions are present across 52.5 percent of the State. Overall, 87.4 percent of the State continues to experience drought conditions, compared to 91.9 percent of the State at the end of February. 

NEVADA: For the week ending March 27, 2022. Days suitable for fieldwork 6.9. Topsoil moisture 30% very short, 10% short, 60% adequate. Subsoil moisture 30% very short, 30% short, 40% adequate. Pasture and range condition 10% very poor, 15% poor, 10% fair, 65% good. Temperatures for March 1 to 28 averaged 44.1 degrees, 0.8 degree above normal. Statewide average precipitation was 0.395 inch, compared to 0.719 inch in a normal year. In many areas, minimal rain was received and soils were dryer than usual. Current snowpack was well below normal. Producers in the Northwest of the State started to burn irrigation ditches. 

OREGON: The Statewide temperatures in Oregon for the month of March ranged from below normal to above normal in the southern part of the State. The precipitation ranged from above normal in pockets, to an area in the south that was below normal. In northwest Oregon, crop conditions were generally good with some mixed evidence of cold injury to berries. Nursery stock was in good shape. Precipitation was above the forty-year average for the water year. Soil moisture was good. In Benton and Lincoln Counties, spring lambing and calving passed. Pastures were growing quickly and in good condition with regular rains and warmer weather. In Clatsop and Tillamook Counties, there was steady rain. The grass was growing, and temperatures were warmer. No cuttings or field applications were made. In north central Oregon, crops held up well over the winter. Temperatures warmed up slightly with some freezing nights. Producers were not able to get in the fields to spray and fertilize due to wind. Moisture conditions were better than last year. In Baker and Grant Counties, snow left the ground a few weeks ago and ground was being prepared as fast as possible. There was some warm weather last week to get crops growing. In Umatilla and Wallowa Counties, conditions were dry. In southwest Oregon, precipitation saturated the soil. In Malheur County, dry weather was good for planting and field work. Onion planting was in full swing. Dry weather was a concern due to low reservoir levels and below average snowpack. Rangeland conditions were also a concern with potential reduced grazing. 

UTAH: This report for Utah is for the month of March 2022. Topsoil moisture 4% very short, 34% short, 60% adequate, 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture 5% very short, 38% short, 56% adequate, 1% surplus. Pasture and range condition 3% very poor, 25% poor, 54% fair, 18% good. Winter wheat condition 9% poor, 60% fair, 30% good, 1% surplus. Barley planted 3%. Hay and roughage supplies 27% very short, 41% short, 30% adequate, 2% surplus. Stock water supplies 2% very short, 26% short, 69% adequate, 3% surplus. Cattle and calves condition 6% poor, 34% fair, 56% good, 4% excellent. Sheep and lambs condition 7% poor, 40% fair, 47% good, 6% excellent. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for cattle 73%. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for sheep 63%. Cows calved 42%. Ewes lambed-farm flock 35%. Ewes lambed-range flock 11%. Sheep shorn-farm flock 30%. Sheep shorn-range flock 8%. Mild temperatures along with limited precipitation occurred throughout the State for the month of March. As of March 27,2022, snowpack in Utah was 75 percent measured as percent of median snowfall. Spring planting was under away in Beaver, Box Elder, Carbon, and Millard counties due to the mild winter. Box Elder and Millard counties report livestock producers are busy with calving. Beaver County reports livestock are doing well, but it has been a mild winter with low snowpack. Box Elder County reports producers are hauling water to sheep due to a lack of snow. 

WASHINGTON: Statewide temperatures in Washington for the month of March were normal to above normal. In western Washington, there was heavy rainfall over the last couple of weeks. Some fields had significant amounts of standing water. Drier upland soils began to warm as pasture regrowth started. Field plantings for barley were rough due to wet conditions throughout the area. In Skagit County, tulips were behind due to flooded fields and labor strikes. In Chelan County, winter wheat made it through the winter in good shape. In central Washington, little rainfall was received, but all orchard trees were in dormancy. Yakima County reported apricots were in full bloom. Peaches were showing pink buds, while cherries were showing white buds. Apple trees were in full swing between green tip and half inch green. Pear tree buds were swelling due to producers applying kaolin clay and oils to their trees to combat sucking insects like pear psylla and aphids. In late March, vegetable growers prepared and tilled their fields. In east central Washington, Spring was quickly approaching, and farmers were in fields across the county. Overall, conditions throughout the county remained dry, and above average precipitation was needed to help the growing season. In southeast Washington, seeding had started, but the area still experienced drought conditions. In Garfield County, spring wheat and dry peas were planted in the dry areas of the county. Winter wheat looked good, but still needed additional moisture. 

WYOMING: This report for Wyoming is for the entire month of March 2022. Topsoil moisture 26% very short, 42% short, 32% adequate. Subsoil moisture 25% very short, 54% short, 21% adequate. Barley 7% planted. Winter wheat condition 9% ver y poor, 32% poor, 45% fair, 14% good. Calving progress 11% cows calved. Cattle and calves death loss 2% heavy, 73% average, 25% light. Lamb progress 8% ewes lambed. Sheep and lambs shorn 11%. Sheep and lambs death loss 78% average, 22% light. Livestock con dition 1% poor, 6% fair, 92% good, 1% excellent. Stock water supplies 5% very short, 38% short, 56% adequate, 1% surplus. Hay and roughage supplies 23% very short, 30% short, 47% adequate. Pasture and range condition 7% very poor, 34% poor, 43% fair, 16% g ood. The majority of Wyoming experienced below average temperatures in March, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. In isolated areas, temperatures were as much as 10 degrees below normal. Precipit was also below normal for most of the State. According to the United States Drought Monitor released on March 2022, the amount of land rated as abnormally dry was 2.8 percent, up from 2.4 ation 24, percent in February. Moderate drought was present across 3 6.6 percent of the State, an increase from 30.8 the State, down from 54.1 percent last month. Severe drought covered 40.6 percent last month, and extreme drought conditions covered 20.0 percent of percent of the State, up from 12.7 percent last month. In G activities. In Lincoln oshen County, soil moisture was aided by variable moisture. Farmers had begun field County, more mountain snow was needed to replenish irrigation supplies. Snow cover kept farmers from their fields, but conditions were good for lambi ng. Pastures were greening in Platte was needed as moisture levels received over the winter were lower than in most years.

Idaho And Western United States SNOTEL Water Year (Oct 1) to Date Precipitation % of Normal (3/29)

 

Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Region - Storage Reservoirs in the Upper Snake River (3/28)

Average daily streamflows indicated in cubic feet per second.
Reservoir levels current as of midnight on date indicated.

Upper Snake River system is at 54 % of capacity.
(Jackson Lake,Palisades, Grassy Lake,Island Park,Ririe,American Falls,LakeWalcott)
Total space available:	1856547 AF
Total storage capacity:	4045695 AF