IDAHO: Idaho experienced mild, slightly warmer than normal temperatures in January. Accumulated precipitation was below average in the northern part of the State and average to above average in the southern part of the State. The soil was heavily saturated, creating muddy conditions for cattle operations. Spring calving was underway. Ada and Owyhee Counties reported significant moisture in the mountains and valleys. Producers reported that calving and lambing were progressing well, and hay stocks were sufficient. Initial spring field work was beginning. Owyhee County added that topsoil and mild moisture levels were better than anticipated. Bud break for the trees was early, and multiple varieties came out of dormancy. Perennial grasses were still dormant, but annual broadleaves were flourishing. Jerome and Twin Falls Counties reported that calving and lambing were well underway. Most fields were still too wet for field work. Camas and Gooding Counties reported two feet of snow on the valley floor slowly melting into the ground. Blaine County also reported that most pasture and cropland was covered with snow. Bonneville and Madison Counties reported satisfactory moisture levels. Though the snowpack was a little light, reservoir levels were good. Hay stocks were dwindling but should be enough for a normal spring season. Like the rest of the State, Clark, Fremont, and Madison Counties reported slightly warmer than average temperatures for the month. Clark, Custer, and Lemhi reported that ranchers were busy with calving season.
MONTANA: This report for Montana is for the entire month of February 2024. Topsoil moisture 7% very short, 45% short, 48% adequate. Subsoil moisture 23% very short, 48% short, 29% adequate. Winter wheat condition 2% poor, 53% fair, 41% good, 4% excellent. Winter wheat wind damage 24% moderate, 38% light, 38% none. Winter wheat freeze damage 10% severe, 23% moderate, 24% light, 43% none. Snow cover 12% very poor, 58% poor, 27% fair, 3% good. Pasture and range condition 24% very poor, 38% poor, 34% fair, 3% good, 1% excellent. Grazing accessibility 64% open, 23% difficult, 13% closed. Cows calved 13%. Cattle receiving supplemental feed 97%. Ewes lambed 9%. Sheep receiving supplemental feed 96%. The month of February brought mostly above normal temperatures and slightly above normal precipitation to much of Montana, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. Temperatures ran highest in the eastern third of the State. Temperatures ran as high as 16 to 20 degrees above average in parts of the northeast, according to data from the High Plains Regional Climate Center (HPRCC). Average temperatures ran lower in the west. Moisture levels were in a range of approximately 0.5 to 1.0 inch above average for much of Montana. Parts of Cascade and Madison Counties, as well as surrounding areas, received moisture as much as 1.5 inches above normal. Precipitation levels in the west, and in some parts of the east and southeast, were closer to average or below normal. Drought conditions deteriorated once again according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report released on February 20, 2024. The amount of land rated drought free fell to 12 percent, down from 20 percent as reported on January 23, 2024. Abnormal dryness was found in 45 percent of the State, up 4 percentage points. Moderate drought stood at 22 percent, down from 26 percent on the report published on January 23. Severe drought conditions increased to 20 percent, up 7 percentage points. Extreme drought, which has not been seen since the first part of November, was found in about 1 percent of Montana. Calving conditions were excellent in Powder River County with the warm and dry conditions. At the same time, the lack of moisture and high winds were a concern to many farmers and ranchers. With the higher temperatures in Wibaux County, operators were also in need of more moisture.
NEVADA: For the week ending February 25 - Days suitable for fieldwork 6.6. Topsoil moisture 35% adequate and 65% surplus. Subsoil moisture short 5%, 40% adequate and 55% surplus. Pasture and range condition 15% fair, 20% good, and 65% excellent. As of February 20, the US Drought Monitor showed 83% of the State was not in drought. Significant rainstorms throughout the month have led to a surplus of moisture in most of the State. Alfalfa is still dormant. Annual weeds started to germinate.
OREGON: Temperatures throughout the State ranged from normal to above normal. Moisture conditions throughout the State ranged from dry to very wet for February. Columbia, Multnomah, and Washington Counties reported saturated soil with conditions too wet for field work. Low temperatures affected crop progress, but yields should not be affected. Clatsop and Tillamook Counties reported above average precipitation with wet field conditions. Some field work and manure applications were done on the dry days. Pasture growth remained dormant. Morrow County reported above average precipitation. The wheat crop emerged and was in good condition, with no signs of stripe rust. Producers and farmers were on the lookout for this disease. Herbicide applications began in fields with no-till fallow. Gilliam, Hood River, Wheeler, and Wasco Counties reported a positive outlook for crops despite the recent winter spell. Calving season was in good condition. Baker and Grant Counties reported above normal temperatures. Livestock lambing and calving were in good condition due to the warmer weather. Some producers’ fields were dry enough for field work. Umatilla County reported that most winter wheat fields were doing well despite some cold injury from the previous month. Stripe rust was forecasted to be a potential detriment this season. Douglas, Jackson, and Josephine Counties reported a moisture surplus in pastures.
UTAH: This report for Utah is for the entire month of February 2024. Topsoil moisture 5% very short, 12% short, 74% adequate, 9% surplus. Subsoil moisture 11% short, 80% adequate, 9% surplus. Pasture and range condition 18% poor, 37% fair, 42% good, 3% excellent. Winter wheat condition 8% poor, 14% fair, 69% good, 9% excellent. Hay and roughage supplies 5% very short, 7% short, 70% adequate, 18% surplus. Stock water supplies 83% adequate, 17% surplus. Cattle and calves condition 7% poor, 17% fair, 66% good, 10% excellent. Sheep and lambs condition 11% poor, 21% fair, 54% good, 14% excellent. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for cattle 89%. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for sheep 89%. Cows calved 10%. Ewes lambed - farm flock 5%. Ewes lambed - range flock 5%. Cold temperatures along with isolated snowstorms occurred throughout the State for the month of February. Snowpack in Utah, according to Natural Resources Conservation Service as of February 26, 2024, was 115 percent measured as percent of median snowfall. Cache County reported winter wheat suspectable to snow mold. Beaver County reports noted that livestock producers were dealing with no calving and lambing issues.
WASHINGTON: Western Washington saw a warmer February than usual. There was less precipitation than normal. In central Washington, operations saw typical February weather, with less precipitation than normal. There was a week of snow, which all melted and helped the soil profile. Crops were getting through the winter in good shape. In Yakima County, significant progress was made in pruning orchards and vineyards, with some orchard removal. Fields of hay, winter wheat, and grasses were greening up. In east-central Washington, producers experienced moderate weather during February. It was too early to tell if the cold snap in January damaged any of the winter wheat crowns. Northeastern Washington had a mild February. There were few reports about winter kill on winter wheat and canola, and calving was underway. In southeast Washington, February brought spring like conditions with little precipitation, causing the snowpack to be well below normal.
WYOMING: This report for Wyoming is for the entire month of February 2024. Topsoil moisture 12% very short, 45% short, 43% adequate. Subsoil moisture 20% very short, 46% short, 34% adequate. Winter wheat condition 4% very poor, 11% poor, 59% fair, 25% good, 1 percent excellent. Hay and roughage supplies 1% very short, 2% short, 90% adequate, 7% surplus. Livestock condition 1% very poor, 2% poor, 6% fair, 84% good, 7% excellent. Stock water supplies 3% very short, 10% short, 85% adequate, 2% surplus. Pasture and range condition 2% very poor, 8% poor, 58% fair, 30% good, 2% surplus. Wyoming received little relief from the ongoing drought conditions during the month of February. 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). Temperatures across the State were warmer than normal, ranging from 2 to 10 degrees above average. Drought conditions in the State slightly improved during February according to the United States Drought Monitor report published on February 20, 2024. The amount of land rated drought free equaled 44 percent, compared with 41 percent on January 23, 2024. Abnormally dry conditions covered 34 percent of the State, moderate drought was found in 16 percent, and severe drought was found in 6 percent.
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