Crop Progress - State Stories

IDAHO: The average temperatures in Idaho were above normal for the southern regions, but below normal for the northern regions for the month of January. Accumulated precipitation was normal to below normal across most of Idaho, with parts of southern Idaho slightly above normal. Clearwater, Idaho, Adams, and Valley Counties reported calving had begun for producers. Temperatures recovered after the deep freeze received at the beginning of the month. The rise in temperatures caused significant snow to melt on croplands. Ada and Owyhee Counties reported that calving and lambing were well underway. Temperatures and precipitation were above normal. Hay stocks were in good condition, with plenty of hay in all classes. Elmore County reported isolated snowstorms and accumulated drifts. Temperatures hit below freezing for one week this month but warmed up since, with some runoff observed. The subsoil frost line was not as deep as anticipated, so the moisture from the snow melt and rain showers soaked in. Jerome and Twin Falls Counties reported average to above average temperatures, with significant snow and rainfall across the valley. Most of the snow had melted except what was in the drifts. Fields were too wet for any field activity, including hauling manure. Bonneville and Madison Counties reported that snowpacks remained at average levels. Forage stocks were adequate for typical winter and spring needs. Calving season had begun. Clark, Custer, and Lemhi Counties reported that ranchers were starting to calve. Fremont, Madison, and Teton Counties reported that temperatures ranged from below average to above average. Some intense snowstorms helped snowpack in the middle of the month, with less snow than usual. Bannock, Bingham, and Butte Counties reported that lambing and calving operations were proceeding well. 

MONTANA: This report for Montana is for the entire month of January 2024. Topsoil moisture 14% very short, 54% short, 30% adequate, 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture 23% very short, 46% short, 28% adequate. 3% surplus. Winter wheat condition 3% poor, 56% fair, 41% good. Winter wheat wind damage 15% moderate, 37% light, 48% none. Winter wheat freeze damage 1% severe, 20% moderate, 32% light, 47% none. Snow cover 8% very poor, 54% poor, 21% fair, 17% good. Pasture and range condition 19% very poor, 35% poor, 40% fair, 5% good, 1% excellent. Grazing accessibility 50% open, 35% difficult, 15% closed. Cows calved 4%. Cattle receiving supplemental feed 92%. Ewes lambed 3%. Sheep receiving supplemental feed 95%. Montana experienced a cold January, Temperatures were, on average, in a range of 4 to 8 degrees below normal for most of the State, according to data from the High Plains Regional Climate Center (HPRCC). A few isolated areas experienced temperatures as much as 10 degrees below average. Precipitation levels were at or below average for much of the State. Some areas received slightly higher amounts of moisture. Certain northern and central areas received as much as 0.75 inch of moisture above normal. Drought conditions deteriorated according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report released for January 23, 2024. The amount of land rated drought free fell to 20 percent, compared with 44 percent as reported on December 26. Abnormal dryness was found across 41 percent of Montana, compared with 37 percent on the same December release. Moderate drought stood at 26 percent, up 10 percentage points from December. Severe drought was found in about 13 percent of the State, also up 10 percentage points from December. Beneficial snow fell in Golden Valley and Musselshell Counties earlier in January. With the ongoing warm conditions however, the snow cover was expected to melt. Farmers did not see much snow this winter until January in Valley County. More moisture was needed. Winter wheat was suffering with current snow depth at 4 inches at the most. The existing snow was expected to dissipate with the upcoming warmer weather forecasts. 

NEVADA: For the week ending January 28 - Days suitable for fieldwork 6.2. Topsoil moisture 35% adequate and 65% surplus. Subsoil moisture 5% short, 35% adequate, and 60% surplus. Pasture and range condition 25% fair, 10% good, and 65% excellent. As of January 28, the US Drought Monitor showed 94% of the State was not in drought. Snowstorms and scattered rain throughout the month have led to a surplus of moisture in most of the State. 

OREGON: Temperatures in the northern region of the State were below average, with the southern region above average for the month of January. Moisture conditions throughout the State ranged from dry to very wet for January. Polk County reported below average temperatures with above average precipitation. Columbia, Multnomah, and Washington Counties reported saturated soil with flooding in some regions due to ice and heavy rain. The cold cycle damaged some container nursery stocks while other crops were still being assessed. Cane berries and Marionberries were at risk, but indications were optimistic. Agronomic crop damage was negligible. Clatsop and Tillamook Counties reported above average precipitation with field conditions too wet for activity. Pasture growth remained dormant. Hood River, Sherman, and Wasco Counties reported that the start of the month was an average winter. Towards the middle of the month, temperatures dropped below freezing, and a foot of snow was received, followed by freezing rain. The snow covered the crops, which protected them from the frigid temperatures. Temperatures at the end of the month warmed up, causing snow to melt. Morrow County reported adequate precipitation that improved yield potential and increased the probability of a significant stripe rust outbreak. Baker County reported that temperatures were subzero at the beginning of the month. Still, temperatures and precipitation were above average towards the end of the month.

UTAH: This report for Utah is for the entire month of January 2024. Topsoil moisture 3% short, 82% adequate, 15% surplus. Subsoil moisture 6% short, 82% adequate, 12% surplus. Pasture and range condition 7% poor, 19% fair, 71% good, 3% excellent. Winter wheat condition 11% poor, 17% fair, 59% good, 13% excellent. Hay and roughage supplies 1% very short, 3% short, 74% adequate, 22% surplus. Stock water supplies 83% adequate, 17% surplus. Cattle and calves condition 1% poor, 5% fair, 79% good, 15% excellent. Sheep and lambs condition 1% poor, 8% fair, 73% good, 18% surplus. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for cattle 84%. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for sheep 72%. Cows calved 3%. Ewes lambed-farm flock 1%. Ewes lambed-range flock 1%. Mild temperatures along with snowstorms occurred throughout the State for the month of January. Snowpack in Utah, according to Natural Resources Conservation Service as of January 29, 2024, was 99 percent measured as percent of median snowfall. Box Elder County reports above normal temperatures along with average snowpack. Beaver County reports noted that livestock producers were dealing with no calving and lambing issues. 

WASHINGTON: Western Washington saw a cold snap in the first half of the month. There was less precipitation than normal, but most fields were wet and oversaturated with the snowmelt. In central Washington, there was significant rain and snow. Snow was still on the ground, but temperatures rose above freezing daily, and the snow settled. Crops had good cover. The ground under the snow was not frozen, so moisture soaked through and should be helpful to crops. In Yakima County, there was precipitation in both snow and rain. Patches of snow were still left in hop yards, orchards, and corn fields. There was a cold stretch during the middle of the month, but during the warmer days, there was pruning in stone fruits. In east central Washington, crop conditions were normal for this time of year. Snow levels receded with the recent warmer weather and rain. Northeastern Washington had cold weather in mid-January with little snow to cover crops. Calving was on the way in some areas. In southeast Washington, January started with record low temperatures, which potentially caused some livestock deaths. Snowpack in the mountains was below normal. 

WYOMING: This report for Wyoming is for the entire month of January 2024. Topsoil moisture 12% very short, 47% short, 41% adequate. Subsoil moisture 11% very short, 52% short, 37% adequate. Winter wheat condition 4% very poor, 7% poor, 62% fair, 26% good, 1% excellent. Hay and roughage supplies 1% very short, 1% short, 97% adequate, 1% surplus. Livestock condition 1% very poor, 1% poor, 2% fair, 95% good, 1% excellent. Stock water supplies 1% very short, 1% short, 97% adequate, 1% surplus. Pasture and range condition 1% very poor, 2% poor, 56% fair, 40% good, 1% surplus. Wyoming received little relief from the ongoing drought conditions during the month of January. Precipitation was scattered and total accumulations varied, ranging from a trace to as much as 6 inches during the month, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Some areas received no measurable moisture. Temperatures varied across the State, ranging from 10 degrees below average to 6 degrees above average. Drought conditions worsened during January according to the United States Drought Monitor report published on January 23, 2024. The amount of land rated drought free equaled 41 percent, compared with 75 percent on December 26, 2023. Abnormally dry conditions covered 53 percent of Wyoming, and moderate drought was found in 6 percent.