Crop Progress - State Stories

ARIZONA: This report for Arizona is for the week ending March 24, 2024. By week’s end, 3 percent of Arizona cotton had been planted, 9 percentage points below the State’s 5-year average, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. Sixty-seven percent of Arizona’s barley had headed, up 25 percentage points from the previous year. Arizona barley was rated in mostly good to excellent condition, with only 3 percent of the crop rated fair. Sixty-six percent of the State’s Durum wheat had headed, up 32 percentage points from the previous year’s levels. Durum wheat was rated in mostly good to excellent condition, with only 6 percent of the crop rated fair. Alfalfa hay harvest continued to take place on more than 75 percent of the crop’s acreage throughout the State. Arizona’s alfalfa crop was rated in mostly good to excellent condition, with only 7 percent of the crop rated fair. Pasture and range conditions throughout the State slightly improved when compared to that of the previous week’s report. Eighteen percent of the State’s pasture and rangeland was rated very poor, 7 percent was rated poor, 24 percent was rated fair, 40 percent was rated good, and 11 percent was rated excellent. Reports from southeastern counties stated that annual forages were now abundant throughout areas of lower elevation. A report from Apache and Navajo Counties also stated that most cattle can still be found on winter pastures. Topsoil moisture levels remained mostly adequate, with 11 percent rated very short, 9 percent rated short, 72 percent rated adequate, and 8 percent rated surplus. Subsoil moisture levels followed a similar trend. Over the past week, measurable precipitation was experienced across much of the State, however, counties along Arizona’s western border, in addition to north-central Coconino County, were the exception and remained relatively dry. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the White Mountains, as well as areas along the central Mogollon Rim, received most of the precipitation, accumulating approximately 2.25 inches, while other areas of Arizona received anywhere from 0.25 to 1.50 inches of total precipitation. A reporter from Graham and Greenlee Counties stated that hail was reported in some areas, but no damages were reported. The drought information statements for northern, as well as southeast Arizona, were both rescinded as the State received, on average, 0.75 inch of above normal precipitation since January 1. According to the National Weather Service, Arizona experienced several widespread rain events over the last 30 days. Despite recent precipitation, the seasonal outlook for April, May, and June shows equal odds for either above, near, or below normal seasonal mean temperatures and seasonal total precipitation apart from southeast Arizona where the seasonal total precipitation outlook is leaning below normal and northeast Arizona where the seasonal mean temperature outlook is now leaning above normal. Subsequently, Arizona’s seasonal drought outlook shows that conditions are expected to persist throughout central and southeastern regions of the State. Streamflow conditions in portions of the Lower San Pedro and Colorado River Basins continues to be well below normal. However, conditions throughout the State have greatly improved as snowpack has begun to melt throughout areas of higher elevation resulting in all of Arizona’s remaining river basin’s streamflow conditions to be rated from much above normal to normal. As of March 19, the U.S. Drought Monitor showed a slight improvement when compared to that of the previous report. Abnormally dry conditions (D0) spanned 40 percent of the State, moderate drought (D1) enveloped 29 percent, severe drought (D2) encompassed 11 percent, and extreme drought (D3) remained at 2 percent of the State’s total land area. Arizona once again remained free of exceptional (D4) drought. Over the past week, temperatures across much of the State decreased according to the High Plains Regional Climate Center (HPRCC). Daytime highs throughout Arizona ranged from 8 degrees below to 4 degrees above normal and ranged from the mid-40s in Coconino County to the mid-80s across southwestern regions of the State. Overnight lows ranged from 5 degrees below to 4 degrees above normal and ranged from 25 to 45 degrees across northern and eastern counties, whereas counties within the Sonoran Desert experienced lows of 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. 

IDAHO: The average temperatures in Idaho for March were above normal in the north and below normal in the south. Accumulated precipitation was below normal in the north but normal in the south. Elmore and Owyhee Counties reported average crop conditions as the dormancy period ends. Buds were present on most trees, but leaf breaks had not yet occurred. Ranges and pastures had slowly begun growing, but growth this past week was more than average. Weed and pest pressure were higher than average due to the lack of sub-freezing temperatures during winter. Calving season experienced milder conditions. Jerome and Twin Falls Counties reported farmers were back in the fields. A few acres of spring cereals and sugarbeets were planted. Other major activities included applying fertilizer, heavy field tillage, and hauling manure. There appeared to be adequate irrigation water for this year. Ranges and pasture grasses were starting to break dormancy. There were a few reports of heavy vole damage in fields across the valley. The weather stayed suitable for livestock. Bonneville and Madison Counties reported that the fields were still too wet to work. Clark, Fremont, and Madison Counties reported cold weather, with snow covering the winter wheat. Bannock, Bingham, and Butte Counties reported rising temperatures and some light flooding. 

MONTANA: This report for Montana is for the entire month of March 2024. Topsoil moisture 10% very short, 43% short, 47% adequate. Subsoil moisture 19% very short, 60% short, 21% adequate. Winter wheat breaking dormancy 13%. Winter wheat condition 1% very poor, 3% poor, 48% fair, 44% good, 4% excellent. Winter wheat wind damage 50% none, 31% light, 19% moderate. Winter wheat freeze damage 63% none, 23% light, 12% moderate, 2% severe. Snow cover 17% very poor, 31% poor, 35% fair, 14% good, 3% excellent. Pasture and range condition 13% very poor, 39% poor, 46% fair, 2% good. Grazing accessibility 59% open, 21% difficult, 20% closed. Cows calved 15%. Cattle receiving supplemental feed 97%. Ewes lambed 12%. Sheep receiving supplemental feed 99%. The month of March brought mostly above normal temperatures and varying precipitation to Montana, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. Much of the State experienced temperatures ranging from near average to about 4 degrees above average, according to data from the High Plains Regional Climate Center (HPRCC). Isolated areas in Richland and Big Horn Counties sustained average temperatures as many as 8 degrees above normal. Various north-central, western, and southern portions of the State experienced temperatures, on average, running about 2 degrees below the norm. Much of eastern, north-central, and western Montana received precipitation in a range of about 0.75 inch below average to normal. The remainder of the State received precipitation reaching only as much as about 0.75 inch above normal. The drought lingered on according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report released on March 21, 2024. The amount of land rated drought free stood at 5 percent, compared with 12 percent as reported on February 22, 2014. Abnormal dryness was found in 53 percent of the State, up 8 percentage points. Moderate drought stood at 25 percent, compared with 22 percent as found in the report for February 22. Severe drought conditions fell to 16 percent, down 4 percentage points. Extreme drought conditions were unchanged at 1 percent. The very dry conditions in Mineral, Missoula, and Ravalli Counties provided excellent conditions for calving. Some operators, however, reported scours in calves due to the warmer days and colder nights. Pneumonia was also a concern in the new calves because of the temperature fluctuations. Fields were open for dragging and tilling. Recent storms provided much needed relief from the dry conditions. Golden Valley and Musselshell Counties reported 3-4 inches of snow over the past weekend. Wibaux County received snow in a range of 4-6 inches. Winter storms in Valley County the third week of March also provided some much-needed moisture as well. 

NEVADA: For the week ending March 24 - Days suitable for fieldwork 7.0. Topsoil moisture 25% short, 40% adequate, and 35% surplus. Subsoil moisture 10% short, 65% adequate, and 25% surplus. Pasture and range condition 35% fair, 20% good, and 45% excellent. As of March 19, the US Drought Monitor showed 85% of the State was not in drought. Operations began sending water orders to the State’s irrigation district. Hay fields started to turn green. 

OREGON: Temperatures ranged from average to above average. The reprieve from constant precipitation in Columbia, Multnomah, and Washington Counties allowed some field work to get done. Blueberries and small fruits perked up. Winter damage to crops and field conditions was minimal. Benton and Lincoln Counties experienced warm, sunny weather last week, which allowed pasture grass to progress. Many local farms were finishing up calving season and were in the middle of lambing. Clatsop and Tillamook Counties reported above average temperatures. Field activities consisted of manure application and haying. Field activity increased for spring grass plantings. Hood River, Sherman, Gilliam, Wasco, and Wheeler Counties reported crops were looking well and received a lot of moisture. Reports mentioned operations were assessing if there was any damage from the cold weather, stripe rust, or any other plant disease. Fields had dried out enough that people started spraying and mowing stubble. The warmer weather was very beneficial to pastures and crops. Lake County reported recent precipitation. Livestock and irrigation water conditions were given a positive outlook for the upcoming grazing and crop season. Umatilla County reported dry conditions and needed more moisture to keep dryland crops in good condition. Malheur County reported warm, dry conditions, allowing for accelerated planting and fieldwork. Ranchers were preparing to move cattle out to pasture. 

UTAH: This report for Utah is for the entire month of March 2024. Topsoil moisture 2% very short, 10% short, 76% adequate, 12% surplus. Subsoil moisture 6% short, 82% adequate, 12% surplus. Pasture and range condition 6% poor, 50% fair, 42% good, 2% excellent. Winter wheat condition 8% poor, 20% fair, 57% good, 15% excellent. Barley planted 1%. Hay and roughage supplies 5% very short, 9% short, 64% adequate, 22% surplus. Stock water supplies 1% short, 89% adequate, 10% surplus. Cattle and calves condition 7% poor, 14% fair, 69% good, 10% excellent. Sheep and lambs condition 5% poor, 19% fair, 60% good, 16% excellent. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for cattle 75%. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for sheep 84%. Cows calved 23%. Ewes lambed-farm flock 21%. Ewes lambed-range flock 8%. Sheep shorn-farm flock 1%. Sheep shorn-range flock 1%. Mild winter temperatures along with snowstorms occurred throughout the State for the month of March. Snowpack in Utah, according to Natural Resources Conservation Service as of March 25, 2024, was 125 percent measured as percent of median snowfall. Spring planting was under away in Beaver and Cache Counties. Beaver, Box Elder, Grand, and Millard Counties noted that livestock producers were dealing with no calving and lambing issues due to mild winter weather. 

WASHINGTON: Western Washington saw an earlier spring than usual, with blossoms emerging earlier. After a cold snap, blossoms bounced back, and pollinators were out, but many brassicas were killed due to the cold. Fields were still wet, although a few farmers tilled some ground last week. In central Washington, temperatures were above normal. Native grasses started greening up, and fields were drying out for possible field activity. Calving was going well with no problems. In Yakima County, fields were greening up in the Yakima Valley, from cover crops to grass hays. Rivers and streams were running low compared to last spring. Hop yards were strung for the upcoming season. Most vegetable fields had been prepared, tilled, hilled, and were ready for planting. Pear orchards were white from the dormant applications applied to ward off insects. Apple and cherry orchards received delayed dormant sprays of insecticides and horticultural oils for overwintering aphids, scales, and mites. Precocious cherry blocks were already showing pink as the flower florets began to extend. Apricots were showing a weak flower bloom. In east central Washington, producers experienced moderate springtime weather, temperatures had warmed up, and some counties saw rainfall. Northeastern Washington did not see much rain, but temperatures rose. In southeast Washington, the snowpack was light, and dry conditions continued. 

WYOMING: This report for Wyoming is for the entire month of March 2024. Topsoil moisture 12% very short, 43% short, 40% adequate, 5% surplus. Subsoil moisture 19% very short, 41% short, 40% adequate. Barley planted 19%. Winter wheat condition 4% very poor, 21% poor, 52% fair, 22% good, 1 percent excellent. Hay and roughage supplies 1% very short, 2% short, 86% adequate, 11 percent surplus. Stock water supplies 2% very short, 12% short, 85% adequate, 1% surplus. Livestock condition 1% poor, 5% fair, 89% good, 5% excellent. Pasture and range condition 2% very poor, 8% poor, 49% fair, 39% good, 2% surplus. Cows calved 18%. Ewes lambed 14%. Sheep shorn 27%. Cattle death loss was rated as 62% average, 38% light. Sheep death loss was rated 1% heavy, 61% average, 38% light. Wyoming received relief from the ongoing drought conditions during the month of March. Precipitation was scattered and total accumulations varied, ranging from a trace to as much as 10 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 March according to the United States Drought Monitor report published on March 19, 2024. The amount of land rated drought free equaled 46 percent, compared with 44 percent on February 20, 2024. Abnormally dry conditions covered 28 percent of Wyoming, moderate drought was found in 19 percent, and severe drought was found in 7 percent.