Crop Progress - State Stories

ARIZONA: This report is for the month of December 2025. By month’s end, 95 percent of Arizona cotton had been harvested, down 4 percentage points from the previous year’s levels. Twenty-two percent of the State’s barley had been planted, of which 19 percent had emerged, up 10 and 9 percentage points, respectively, from the previous year’s levels. Similarly, 25 percent of Arizona’s Durum wheat had been planted, of which 18 percent had emerged, up 16 and 12 percentage points, respectively, from the previous year’s levels. Alfalfa hay harvest continued to take place on about 10 percent of the crop’s acreage throughout the State. Arizona’s alfalfa crop was rated in mostly good to excellent condition, with only 1 percent of the crop rated fair. Pasture and range conditions throughout the State deteriorated when compared to that of the previous report. Forty percent of the State’s pasture and rangeland was rated very poor, 34 percent was rated poor, 18 percent was rated fair, and 8 percent was rated good. Reports from eastern counties have reiterated that grazing conditions continue to deteriorate and that pastures have shown no sign of revegetation. Reporters have also stated that warmer than normal temperatures have allowed the emergence of undesirable spring annuals. Additionally, piñonjuniper woodlands are now showing signs of extreme vegetative distress. Topsoil moisture levels continue to fall as much of the State has been affected by drought. Thirty-four percent of the State is rated very short, 29 percent is rated short, 33 percent is rated adequate, and 4 percent is rated surplus. Subsoil moisture levels followed a similar trend. Throughout the month of December, measurable precipitation was experienced across northwestern and southeastern areas of the State while southwestern and northeastern areas remained relatively dry. According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Hualapai and Galiuro Mountains received the most precipitation, accumulating approximately 3.00 inches while other areas of the State received anywhere from trace amounts to 2.50 inches of total precipitation. The drought information statements for south-central, southwest, and southeast Arizona remained in effect and were updated on December 22, 2025, in response to enduring drought conditions. The seasonal mean temperature and total precipitation outlooks for January, February, and March 2026 were issued by the National Weather Service on December 18, 2025. The seasonal mean temperature outlook continues to show that temperatures will likely be above normal for the entirety of the State, with the eastern three-quarters of Arizona having a higher probability of experiencing warmer temperatures than the remaining quarter 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, 2025. 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 30, 2025. Drought development is not expected across remaining areas of the State. Streamflow conditions throughout Arizona for the month of December were rated from low to above normal. Streamflow conditions suffered the most in the Upper San Pedro, Upper Little Colorado, Upper Gila, and Lower Colorado River Basins. As of December 30, 2025, the U.S. Drought Monitor showed an improvement in conditions when compared to that of the report dated November 18, 2025. Abnormally dry conditions (D0) bounded 21 percent of the State, moderate drought (D1) enveloped 40 percent, severe drought (D2) encompassed 28 percent, and extreme drought (D3) spanned 1 percent of the State’s total land area. Arizona 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 4 to 14 degrees above normal and ranged from the low 40’s in northern Apache County to the high 70’s across southwestern regions of the State. Overnight lows ranged from 2 degrees below to 10 degrees above normal and ranged from 15 to 40 degrees across northern and eastern counties, whereas counties within the Sonoran Desert experienced lows of 45 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. 

IDAHO: The average temperatures for December were above normal for the State. Snowpack levels were below normal in southern and western Idaho. Precipitation was frequent, but it was mostly in the form of rain. However, the ground dried quickly. Cattle were being fed in higher elevations while those at lower elevations were still able to graze. Heavy rains in late December with warm soil temperatures allowed the topsoil moisture to improve. Early calving operations were preparing for the calving season. Lambing operations also prepared for spring lambs. Hay stocks were holding well with an adequate supply due to warmer than normal temperatures helping livestock maintain with less feed. 

MONTANA: This report for Montana is for the entire month of December 2025. Topsoil moisture 25% very short, 36% short, 38% adequate, 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture 26% very short, 39% short, 34% adequate, 1% surplus. Winter wheat condition 18% poor, 56% fair, 26% good. Winter wheat – wind damage was 20% none, 49% light, 24% moderate, 7% severe. Winter wheat – freeze and drought damage 50% none, 49% light, 1% moderate. Winter wheat - protectiveness of snow cover 87% very poor, 9% poor, 4% fair. Pasture and range condition 17% very poor, 36% poor, 34% fair, 13% good. Livestock grazing accessibility 68% open, 18% difficult, 14% closed. Cattle receiving supplemental feed 86% fed. Sheep receiving supplemental feed 87% fed. December precipitation was average to above average, depending on location, while average temperatures were well above normal. Survey comments noted that temperatures in some counties bounced from well below to well above freezing. In other areas, the lack of snow cover and thick ice resulted in some livestock injuries, as well as overall difficulty for ranchers to navigate pastures to deliver feed. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor published for December 30, roughly 48 percent of the State was drought free, compared with just over 5 percent December 31, 2024. Other drought categories included abnormally dry (D0) at 27 percent, moderate drought (D1) at 15 percent, severe drought (D2) at 8 percent, and extreme drought (D3) at 2 percent. 

NEVADA: Days suitable for fieldwork 7.0. Topsoil moisture 5% very short, 5% short, 80% adequate, and 10% surplus. Subsoil moisture 5% very short, 20% short, 70% adequate, and 5% surplus. Pasture and range condition 5% very poor, 30% poor, 40% fair, 15% good, and 10% excellent. Temperatures across the State of Nevada were extremely warm for December, with many areas recording their warmest December in history. The State experienced unseasonably dry weather during the first few weeks, with storms approaching by month’s end. Significant rain events occurred towards the end of the month. Alfalfa fields were dormant. Winter annual grasses were green. 

OREGON: Temperatures were above normal throughout the State. Snowpack was below normal throughout the State. Rainfall was average to above average throughout the State. Due to above normal rain and warmer temperatures that delayed the ground freezing, winter grains, grass seed and pastures accelerated growth. In western Oregon, heavy rains and winds caused extensive flooding of low-lying pastures, hayfields and cropland. There were several landslides and downed trees reported. In north central Oregon, winter wheat emerged in most fields. There was no snow cover until late December, and the crops grew a lot. Winter wheat was in good condition. Livestock health was good, and forage was adequate. 

UTAH: This report for Utah is for the entire month of December 2025. Topsoil moisture 34% short, 27% adequate, 39% surplus. Subsoil moisture 34% short, 66% adequate. Pasture and range condition 50% fair, 50% good. Winter wheat condition 10% fair, 90% good. Hay and roughage supplies 10% s1ort, 90% adequate. Stock water supplies 20% short, 70% adequate, 10% surplus. Cattle and calves condition 68% good, 32% excellent. Sheep and lambs condition 10% fair, 90% good. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for cattle 55%. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for sheep 50%. Cows calved 1%. As of January 5, 2026, snowpack in Utah was 86 percent measured as percent of median snowfall. Cache County reports noted more snow was received in the mountains during December compared to lower elevations. Beaver, Cache, and Grand Counties noted conditions were mild, warm, and abnormally dry during December with limited winter moisture received. Cache County reports no snowpack with receiving potential cold freeze have impact on fall planted grains. 

WASHINGTON: In Washington, there was a lot of rain, but snow was limited. Flooding was reported in several areas of the State. Snowpack levels were below normal in most of the State except for the eastern part which was average. Crop conditions looked good with the rain. Temperatures were above normal with only a few days of freezing temperatures. There were no major cold spells. 

WYOMING: This report for Wyoming is for the entire month of December 2025. Topsoil moisture 43% very short, 12% short, 31% adequate, 14% surplus. Subsoil moisture 44% very short, 17% short, 25% adequate, 14% surplus. Winter wheat condition 12% very poor, 29% poor, 49% fair, 9% good, 1% excellent. Livestock condition 1% poor, 13% fair, 80% good, 6% excellent. Pasture and range condition 1% very poor, 25% poor, 43% fair, 26% good, 5% excellent. Hay and roughage supplies 1% short, 86% adequate, 13% surplus. Stock water supplies 2% very short, 17% short, 68% adequate, 13% surplus. December precipitation varied from well below to well above average, depending on location, while average temperatures were well above normal. Survey comments noted extreme dryness across several counties. High winds coupled with a lack of snow cover negatively affected topsoil. Other comments noted above average snow and rain, with mild temperatures. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor published for December 30, roughly 31 percent of the State was drought free, compared with no drought free areas on December 31, 2024. Other drought categories included abnormally dry (D0) at 32 percent, moderate drought (D1) at 21 percent, severe drought (D2) at 12 percent, and extreme drought (D3) at 3 percent.