Crop Progress - State Stories

IDAHO: The average temperatures in Idaho for the month of January varied from below normal to above normal for most regions of the State. Accumulated precipitation remained slightly below to above normal for the water year. In northern Idaho, the area saw cooler than average temperatures throughout January, with little snow cover in most fields. Winter survival of some fall-sown varieties of canola, rapeseed, and peas was questionable. In southwest Idaho, temperatures were above freezing, with good precipitation. Hay stocks looked good. Snowpack for reservoir storage appeared favorable. In south central Idaho, conditions were mild with above average moisture. Feed supply appeared excellent with abundant supply. In eastern Idaho, temperatures were below normal, with heavy snowfall. Snow coverage protected fall crops from extremely cold temperatures. Hay stocks were adequate for now. Teton, Fremont, and Madison Counties experienced heavy snowfall, followed by extremely cold temperatures. Livestock were being fed hay. Bannock, Bingham, and Butte Counties received good precipitation in the form of snow. Calving and lambing season continued on schedule.

MONTANA: This report for Montana is for the entire month of January 2023. Topsoil moisture 10% very short, 41% short, 45% adequate, 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture 8% very short, 56% short, 33% adequate, 3% surplus. Winter wheat condition 1% very poor, 1% poor, 82% fair, 15% good, 1% excellent. Winter wheat wind damage 74% none, 12% light, 10% moderate, 4% heavy. Winter wheat freeze and drought damage 74% light, 20% moderate, 6% heavy. Winter wheat protectiveness of snow cover 9% very poor, 40% poor, 18% fair, 18% good, 15% excellent. Pasture and range condition 16% very poor, 31% poor, 28% fair, 24% good, 1% excellent. Livestock grazing accessibility 30% open, 32% difficult, 38% closed. Livestock receiving supplemental feed - cattle and calves 99% fed. Cows calved 4% complete. Livestock receiving supplemental feed – sheep and lambs 98% fed. Ewes lambed 2% complete. The State of Montana experienced a warm January, with varying precipitation totals. Drought conditions slightly improved in areas experiencing moderate, severe, and extreme drought; however, overall drought conditions have worsened due to minimal precipitation and warm temperatures. According to the US Drought Monitor published on January 26, 2023, 95.2 percent of the State is experiencing drought conditions, compared to 87.9 percent at the end of December. The amount of land rated as abnormally dry increased 7.3 percentage points from 28.0 percent at the end of December to 35.3 percent for the month of January. Moderate drought was present across 22.9 percent of the State, down slightly from 24.8 percent at the end of December. Severe drought covered 26.2 percent of the State, up from last month’s 22.9 percent and extreme drought was found in 10.8 percent of the State, down from last month’s 12.2 percent.

NEVADA: For the week ending January 29, 2023 - Days suitable for fieldwork 2.1. Topsoil moisture 10% short, 80% adequate, 10% surplus. Subsoil moisture 5% very short, 10% short, 85% adequate. Pasture and range condition 75% poor, 25% fair. There was standing water and snow patches in northern parts of the State due to unusually high precipitation for the State during the first two weeks of January. This had a negative impact in pasture and range condition. More than 55% of the State was in D2 or D3 drought levels according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

OREGON: Moisture conditions throughout the State ranged from very wet to wet for January. However, the western part of Oregon was still behind normal for seasonal precipitation. Temperatures ranged from lower than normal to around normal. Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties reported record rainfall and below average temperatures. Crop and pasture conditions reports were good, especially pastures left un-grazed during winter. In Columbia, Multnomah, and Washington Counties, very cold and dry weather was a concern for some berry and nursery crops. Benton and Lincoln Counties reported heavy rainfall at the beginning of the month, with drier days towards the end of January. High winds resulted in downed trees that contributed to power outages and impeded transportation. Many livestock producers anticipated the beginning of calving to start soon. Morrow County reported temperatures in single digits with no snow cover, with potential cold injury for the wheat crop. Gilliam, Hood River, Sherman, and Wasco Counties reported high rainfall with snow and average moisture content. Crops and livestock were both growing well with no concerns. Baker County reported mild weather and an average snowpack. Cattle producers were starting to calve. Umatilla and Wallowa Counties reported the winter wheat was in good condition, precipitation was below normal, and winter canola was doing excellent. There was concern about the impact on yields if conditions remained dry. Douglas, Jackson, and Josephine Counties reported good rainfall, although behind average. Wheeler and Grant Counties reported substantial rainfall and some snow. Crops and livestock were doing well. Lake County reported high precipitation and a few snowstorms that added to the snowpack. Morning temperatures were very cold and freezing kept the snowpack in place.

UTAH: This report for Utah is for the entire month of January 2023. Topsoil moisture 12% short, 69% adequate, 19% surplus. Subsoil moisture 13% short, 84% adequate, 3% surplus. Pasture and range condition 2% very poor, 20% poor, 35% fair, 43% good. Winter wheat condition 6% poor, 45% fair, 42% good, 7% surplus. Hay and roughage supplies 15% very short, 29% short, 56% adequate. Stock water supplies 14% short, 86% adequate. Cattle and calves condition 9% poor, 36% fair, 54% good, 1% excellent. Sheep and lambs condition 12% poor, 53% fair, 35% good. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for cattle 70%. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for sheep 51%. Cows calved 4%. Ewes lambed-farm flock 5%. Colder temperatures along with snowstorms occurred throughout the State for the month of January. As of January 3, 2023, snowpack in Utah was 174 percent measured as percent of median snowfall. Box Elder County reports livestock producers continued feeding cattle due to the cold weather. Beaver County reports noted that livestock producers were dealing with calving issues due to the cold weather.

WYOMING: This report for Wyoming is for the entire month of January 2023. Topsoil moisture 12% very short, 22% short, 64% adequate, 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture 15% very short, 39% short, 46% adequate. Winter wheat condition 4% very poor, 18% poor, 60% fair, 17% good, 1% surplus. Hay and roughage supplies 7% very short, 23% short, 69% adequate, 1% surplus. Livestock condition 1% poor, 8% fair, 86% good, 5% excellent. Stock water supplies 4% very short, 15% short, 80% adequate, 1% surplus. Pasture and range condition 5% very poor, 19% poor, 31% fair, 42% good, 3% surplus. Cows calved 1%. Ewes lambed 2%. Most of Wyoming received above normal amounts of moisture in January. In some areas of the State, precipitation levels were as much as 2.5 inches above average. Some areas of northern Wyoming received at or slightly below normal amounts of precipitation thus far in January. Temperatures ran mostly below normal in southern Wyoming and above normal in the north and far west. Portions of Fremont, Lincoln, and Sweetwater Counties saw temperatures as much as 6 to 8 degrees below average, while a portion of Sheridan County experienced temperatures as much as 8 degrees above normal. With the escalation in moisture, Wyoming saw an improvement in drought conditions according to the United States Drought Monitor report published on January 26, 2023. The amount of land rated drought free increased to 29.8%, compared with 25.6% as published on December 29, 2022. The amount of land rated abnormally dry stood at 25.4%, compared with 20.8% at the end of December. At 24.0%, moderate drought changed little from 25.0% last month. Severe drought conditions fell to 17.7%, compared with 22.1% last month. Extreme drought improved to 3.1%, compared with 6.5% at the end of December. In Goshen County, the generous snowfall received will greatly benefit the depleted topsoil moisture levels. The southern portions of Hot Springs County received substantial amounts of snow. Laramie County has also received beneficial amounts of snow, but temperatures have not been warm enough for the snow to melt and soak into the soil. There is concern some snow may be lost in the wind. Lincoln County has received abundant snow so far this year along with cold, but tolerable temperatures. Pastures and aftermath feed were buried under the snow cover. Livestock producers were feeding their stock hay. Snowfall this month in Platte County has improved the dry conditions, but not enough to end the drought. Farmers and ranchers remained hopeful that continued much needed snow would benefit pastures and reservoirs. Hay and roughage supplies for Wyoming were rated 7% very short, 23% short, 69% adequate, and 1% surplus, compared with 3% very short, 20% short, 73% adequate, and 4% adequate last month. Stock water supplies across Wyoming were rated 4% very short, 15% short, 80% adequate, and 1% surplus, compared with 6% very short, 17% short, 72% adequate and 5% surplus last month.