Crop Progress - State Stories

ARIZONA: This report for Arizona is for the month of December 2024. Responses were based on the entire month, with consideration for any weather-related impacts. By month’s end, 99 percent of Arizona cotton had been harvested, unchanged from the previous year’s levels, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. Twelve percent of the State’s barley had been planted, and 10 percent of the crop had emerged. Similarly, 9 percent of Arizona’s Durum wheat had been planted, of which 6 percent had emerged. Planting and emergence of the State’s barley and Durum wheat crop were both significantly behind the previous year’s levels. Alfalfa hay harvest continued to take place on about 45 percent of the crop’s acreage throughout the State. Arizona’s alfalfa crop was rated in mostly good to excellent condition, with only 4 percent of the crop rated fair. Pasture and range conditions throughout the State improved slightly when compared to that of the previous report. Nineteen percent of the State’s pasture and rangeland was rated very poor, 39 percent was rated poor, 18 percent was rated fair, 22 percent was rated good, and 2 percent was rated excellent. Topsoil moisture levels remained mostly adequate, with 21 percent rated very short, 23 percent rated short, and 56 percent rated adequate. Subsoil moisture levels followed a similar trend. Throughout the month of December, measurable precipitation was lacking across much of the State; however, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data, northern areas of the Defiance and Shivwits Plateau, as well as the Chuska Mountains, accumulated anywhere from trace amounts to 0.30 inch of total precipitation. The drought information statement for south-central Arizona, southwest Arizona, and southeast California remained in effect and was updated on December 21, 2024, in response to the driest monsoon and hottest summer-fall on record. The seasonal mean temperature and total precipitation outlooks for January, February, and March 2025 were issued by the National Weather Service on December 19, 2024. The seasonal mean temperature outlook continues to show that temperatures will likely be above normal for the entirety of the State, with the eastern two-thirds of Arizona having a higher probability of experiencing warmer temperatures than the remaining third of the State. Similarly, the seasonal total precipitation outlook continues to show that precipitation will likely be below normal for the entirety of the State, with southeastern regions having a higher probability of experiencing below average precipitation than remaining areas of the State. Arizona’s seasonal drought outlook was updated on December 31, 2024. The outlook now shows that conditions are expected to persist throughout all areas of the State that were affected by moderate drought (D1) or higher on December 24, 2024. Drought is now expected to develop across all remaining areas of the State. Streamflow conditions throughout Arizona deteriorated significantly when compared to that of the previous report. As of December 31, 2024, the U.S. Drought Monitor showed a deterioration in conditions when compared to that of the previous report. Abnormally dry conditions (D0) bounded 20 percent of the State, moderate drought (D1) enveloped 33 percent, severe drought (D2) encompassed 30 percent, and extreme drought (D3) spanned 14 percent of the State’s total land area. Arizona once again remained free of exceptional (D4) drought. Throughout the month of December, temperatures were at or above normal according to the High Plains Regional Climate Center (HPRCC). Daytime highs throughout Arizona ranged from 3 to 14 degrees above normal and ranged from the mid-30’s in northern Apache County to the high 70’s across south-central regions of the State. Overnight lows ranged from 8 degrees below to 8 degrees above normal and ranged from 13 to 35 degrees across northern and eastern counties, whereas counties within the Sonoran Desert experienced lows of 40 to 55 degrees. 

IDAHO: The average temperatures for January were above normal for the entire State. Accumulated precipitation was below normal for most of the State. By the end of December, Idaho County reported that over half of the ground in the county was partially covered with snow. Jerome and Twin Falls Counties reported an open winter with very little snow and above average temperatures. The last week of December saw some snow and significant rain. Conditions were good for livestock as conditions were dry and not cold enough to challenge them. Winter wheat looked good. With no snow cover and mild temperatures, the winter wheat crop fared well so far. Due to recent moisture, all fieldwork activities stopped. Farmers were working fields well into early December. The mountains received some snowpack. Blaine County reported snowfall in the area, with near normal expected amounts. Bonneville and Madison Counties reported that hay stocks looked sufficient. Recent wet snowstorms helped the water outlook, but the Upper Snake River snow levels were still at or below average. There was good snow coverage on the valley floors. Lemhi County reported getting some moisture at the end of December, with some producers starting to calve. Bannock and Bingham Counties reported snow by the end of the month as well. Lambing and calving progressed as usual. Oneida County reported average conditions for the month of December with adequate moisture as snowpack. 

MONTANA: This report for Montana is for the entire month of December 2024. Topsoil moisture 27% very short, 34% short, 38% adequate, 1% Surplus. Subsoil moisture 31% very short, 37% short, 32% adequate. Winter wheat condition 1% very poor, 5% poor, 52% fair, 39% good, 3% excellent. Winter wheat wind damage 4% severe, 10% moderate, 21% light, 65% none. Winter wheat freeze damage 2% severe, 9% moderate, 16% light, 73% none. Snow cover 11% very poor, 53% poor, 27% fair, 5% good, 4% excellent. Pasture and range condition 26% very poor, 57% poor, 16% fair, 1% good. Grazing accessibility 62% open, 20% difficult, 18% closed. Cattle receiving supplemental feed 87%. Sheep receiving supplemental feed 87%. The month of December brought above average temperatures and mostly below normal precipitation to Montana. Data from the High Plains Regional Climate Center (HPRCC) indicate that temperatures ran about 6-10 degrees above average across most of the State. Moisture received was about 0.75 inch below average to normal for the majority of Montana. In some parts of central and eastern Montana, moisture levels were as much as 0.75 inch or more above normal. Drought conditions according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report released on December 31, 2024, showed there was 6 percent of land rated drought free. Abnormal dryness was found in 40 percent of Montana, moderate drought stood at 27 percent, 13 percent was rated severe drought and 14 percent was at extreme drought. Those extreme drought conditions were in the eastern part of Montana and in the west central part of the State. Comments from central Montana showed 6-9 inches of snow was received. However, in the northern part of the State producers have concerns with the lack of moisture and with the snowpack being below normal. 

NEVADA: For the week ending January 5, 2025 - Days suitable for fieldwork 7.0. Topsoil moisture 5% very short, 65% short, 25% adequate, and 5% surplus. Subsoil moisture 5% very short, 60% short, 30% adequate, and 5% surplus. Pasture and range condition 35% poor, 40% fair, 20% good, and 5% excellent. There was little to no precipitation during the month. Temperatures remained normal to slightly above normal. Storms brought drying winds to the State. 

OREGON: Temperatures ranged from average to above average across most of the State. Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington, and Columbia Counties experienced extremely wet conditions, leading to erosion on open fields, steep banks, and overgrazed pastures. There were brief dry periods to harvest bare root trees. Agronomic crops, including winter grain and grass seed, generally looked good. Despite the excess moisture, the above average temperatures helped crops. Weed populations got an early start. Livestock were kept away from grazing the saturated pastures to avoid soil damage. Benton and Lincoln Counties experienced average but significant precipitation, which led to temporary flooding in some areas. Snow and ice storms have yet to manifest so far this winter season. Clatsop and Tillamook Counties experienced an onslaught of rainfall with heavy winds, which led to numerous fallen trees. Morrow, Sherman, and Wasco Counties also fell under a curtain of significantly wet conditions. The moisture, coupled with average daytime temperatures and above freezing nighttime temperatures, positively impacted crops. Fall seeded crops were behind in growth due to the dry fall. Umatilla County also welcomed moisture after a dryer than average summer and fall. Snowpack was low at both low and high elevations throughout the County. Winter wheat stands were mostly fair or good. Lake County also brought in heavy precipitation, receiving contributions from both rain and snow. Creeks and reservoirs began to fill. 

UTAH: This report for Utah is for the entire month of December 2024. Topsoil moisture 8% very short, 10% short, 82% adequate. Subsoil moisture 7% very short, 28% short, 63% adequate, 2% surplus. Pasture and range condition 1% very poor, 3% poor, 23% fair, 57% good, 16% excellent. Winter wheat condition 29% fair, 71% good. Hay and roughage supplies 8% short, 51% adequate, 41% surplus. Stock water supplies 5% very short, 12% short, 46% adequate, 37% surplus. Cattle and calves condition 1% very poor, 2% poor, 8% fair, 84% good, 5% excellent. Sheep and lambs condition 1% very poor, 2% poor, 4% fair, 87% good, 6% excellent. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for cattle 56%. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for sheep 62%. Cows calved 1%. Ewes lambed-farm flock 2%. Ewes lambed-range flock 1%. As of January 6, 2025, snowpack in Utah was 99 percent measured as percent of median snowfall. Cache County reports noted more snow was received in the mountains during December compared to lower elevations. Duchesne, Grand, and Washington Counties noted conditions were mild, warm, and abnormally dry during December with limited winter moisture received. In Grand County, concerns regarding alfalfa aphids were reported. Duchesne County reports noted cattle and sheep remained on pasture with little supplemental feed needed. 

WASHINGTON: The Statewide temperatures for December were above normal to slightly below normal throughout the State. Producers reported weather being unseasonably warm in the northwest part of the State. Vegetable growers hoped for colder temperatures to support optimal growing conditions. In the central part of the State, there was not much field activity in the crop producing areas. The weather was moderate, and snowfall provided some moisture in the area. The northeastern region had mixed days of snow and rain. Field erosion was becoming a concern due to removing soil and fall seeded plants. The east central district had a high volume of rain without a cold snap. Winter wheat was in good condition. The southeastern region also had a high volume of rain without temperatures dropping drastically. Winter wheat was looking good. 

WYOMING: This report for Wyoming is for the entire month of December 2024. Topsoil moisture 41% very short, 29% short, 29% adequate, 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture 45% very short, 36% short, 18% adequate, 1 percent surplus. Winter wheat condition 12% very poor, 24% poor, 59% fair, 4% good, 1 percent excellent. Hay and roughage supplies 9% short, 82% adequate, 9% surplus. Livestock condition 1% poor, 22% fair, 68% good, 9% excellent. Stock water supplies 8% short, 86% adequate, 6% surplus. Pasture and range condition 7% very poor, 21% poor, 45% fair, 21% good, 6% surplus. Wyoming received little relief from the ongoing drought conditions during the month of December. Precipitation was scattered and total accumulations varied widely across the State, ranging from a trace to 2 inches across most of the State during the month. A couple areas received upwards to 6 inches, while western Teton County received as much as 10 inches during the month, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Some areas received no measurable rainfall. Temperatures ran above normal across the State, ranging from 0 to 12 degrees above average during the month, according to the High Plains Regional Climate Center (PPRCC) climate maps for the month of December. There was little change in drought conditions during December according to the United States Drought Monitor report published for December 31, 2024. The amount of land rated drought free was 0 percent, unchanged from the report published November 24, 2024. The amount of land rated abnormally dry covered 7 percent of Wyoming compared to 2 percent November 24. Moderate drought was found in 21 percent of Wyoming, compared to 36 percent on November 24. Severe drought worsened to 46 percent, compared to 40 percent on November 24. Extreme conditions remained constant at 26 percent. Reports from Goshen County indicated that the dry weather during the month has caused many cattle producers to liquidate their herds. Lincoln County reporters noted good winter conditions thus far, with mountain snowpack at median to slightly above average levels, while temperatures have been moderate and no extremely freezing nights.