Crop Progress - State Stories

ARIZONA: This report is for the week ending March 1, 2026. By week’s end, 61 percent of Arizona barley had emerged, of which 15 percent had headed, up 2 and 15 percentage points, respectively, from the previous year’s levels. Arizona barley was rated in mostly good to excellent condition, with only 9 percent of the crop rated fair. Similarly, 66 percent of Arizona’s Durum wheat had emerged, of which 13 percent had headed, up 5 and 13 percentage points, respectively, from the previous year’s levels. Arizona’s Durum wheat was rated in mostly good to excellent condition, with only 1 percent of the crop rated fair. Alfalfa hay harvest continued to take place on approximately 55 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 deteriorated when compared to that of the previous report. Thirty-six percent of the State’s pasture and rangeland was rated very poor, 41 percent was rated poor, 15 percent was rated fair, and 8 percent was rated good. Reports from eastern counties have reiterated that grazing conditions continue to deteriorate as a result of prolonged drought. However, annual spring forages have emerged in areas of lower elevation which has provided some relief to livestock producers. Topsoil moisture levels continue to fall as much of the State has been affected by drought. Fifteen percent of the State is rated very short, 14 percent is rated short, and 71 percent is rated adequate. Subsoil moisture levels followed a similar trend. Over the past week, measurable precipitation was lacking across much of the State. However, throughout the month of February, Arizona experienced widespread precipitation across central areas. According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), western areas of the San Francisco Plateau received the most precipitation, accumulating approximately 3.50 inches while other areas of the State received anywhere from trace amounts to 2.50 inches of total precipitation. The seasonal mean temperature and total precipitation outlooks for March, April, and May were issued by the National Weather Service on February 19, 2026. The seasonal mean temperature outlook continues to show that temperatures will likely be above normal for the entirety of the State, with southeastern regions having a higher probability of experiencing warmer temperatures than the remainder 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 the eastern quarter of Arizona having a higher probability of experiencing below average precipitation than the remaining three-quarters of the State. Arizona’s seasonal drought outlook was updated on February 28, 2026. 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 February 24. Excluding far western regions, drought development is expected across all remaining areas of the State. Current streamflow conditions were rated from much below to above normal. Streamflow conditions are suffering the most in the Upper San Pedro, Upper Santa Cruz, Upper Salt, and Lower Gila River Basins. As of February 24, 2026, the U.S. Drought Monitor showed no change in conditions when compared to that of the report dated January 27. Abnormally dry conditions (D0) bounded 34 percent of the State, moderate drought (D1) encompassed 28 percent, and severe drought (D2) enveloped 6 percent of the State’s total land area. Arizona remained free of extreme (D3) and exceptional (D4) drought. Over the past week, temperatures were above normal according to the High Plains Regional Climate Center (HPRCC). Daytime highs throughout Arizona ranged from 9 to 15 degrees above normal and ranged from the upper 50’s in north-central Coconino County to the mid 90’s across southwestern regions of the State. Overnight lows ranged from 3 degrees below to 15 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 65 degrees Fahrenheit. 

CALIFORNIA: Days suitable for fieldwork 6.4. Topsoil moisture 90% adequate, and 10% surplus. Subsoil moisture 5% short, 90% adequate and 5% surplus. Pasture and range condition 5% fair, 50% good, and 45% excellent. Winter wheat condition 5% fair, 25% good, and 70% excellent. As of March 2, snowpack content ranged from 9.8 in the Northern Sierra, 15.6 in the Central Sierra, and 18.8 in the Southern Sierra. After a relatively dry January, rain was abundant during February and provided much needed moisture. Winter grains grew in vibrant green hues and alfalfa fields continued to grow well. Wheat, oats, barley, and triticale were well established for the season. Wet field conditions limited mechanical field work towards the end of February. However, sunny afternoons toward the end of the month allowed growers to complete essential field preparations for spring crops. Winter vegetables grew quickly during the month, and some were harvested. There was some lack of availability of broccoli due to planting gaps from excessive rain during late November and early December. Carrot harvest neared completion in Kern County by months end, while harvest began in the Imperial Valley. The garlic crop was progressing well with good quality. In Tulare County, onions, kale, cauliflower and cabbage were harvested and available at farmers’ markets. Almond orchards bloomed during the month as brush was cleared and fallen trees were removed. Bee colonies were placed in almond orchards for pollination. Growers applied full bloom spray. Pistachio and walnut orchards were pruned and cleaned. Growers sprayed their orchards with fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides. Many sprayings were applied aerially due to the wet conditions. Stone fruit was in various stages of bloom throughout the month and leaves were emerging. Bee colonies were placed amid the blooming trees. Grape vineyards were pruned, and their vines were tied. Persimmon harvest was ongoing. Asian pear trees were blooming. Rain during the third week of February hampered berry harvest and was expected to improve by the end of the month. Olive orchards were pruned and cleaned. Navel orange, grapefruit, pummelo, tangelo, mandarin, and lemon harvests were ongoing, however there was some delay by heavy rainfall during the month. Rangeland remained green and lush with rising temperatures during the daytime and additional rain. Both irrigated and non-irrigated pastures were in good condition. Sheep were grazing on various alfalfa fields throughout the month. 

IDAHO: The average February temperatures were above normal across the State. High-elevation snow was good, but low- to mid-elevation snow and precipitation were lacking. The combination of warmer temperatures and limited moisture led to earlier than usual spring field preparations and caused soil moisture to fall below normal levels. Winter cereals and alfalfa began breaking dormancy ahead of schedule, and winter annual weeds grew rapidly. The mild winter reduced stress on new calves. Warmer weather also reduced the use of hay stocks, and supplies looked good heading into the calving and lambing season. 

MONTANA: This report for Montana is for the entire month of February 2026. Topsoil moisture 12% very short, 60% short, 28% adequate. Subsoil moisture 11% very short, 68% short, 20% adequate, 1% surplus. Winter wheat condition 82% fair, 18% good. Winter wheat – wind damage was 3% none, 74% light, 14% moderate, 9% severe. Winter wheat – freeze damage 59% none, 26% light, 14% moderate, 1% severe. Winter wheat – protectiveness of snow cover 88% very poor, 9% poor, 3% fair. Pasture and range condition 35% very poor, 27% poor, 30% fair, 8% good. Livestock grazing accessibility 83% open, 11% difficult, 6% closed. Cows calved 10%. Cattle receiving supplemental feed 88%. Ewes lambed 9%. Sheep receiving supplemental feed 89%. February precipitation was average to well below average across much of the State, while average temperatures ran from 3 degrees to more than 15 degrees above average. Survey comments supported the noted weather information. Producer concerns centered around the lack of spring runoff relative to filling natural water sources for livestock and irrigation. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor published for February 24, roughly 10 percent of the State was drought free, compared with nearly 41 percent February 25, 2025. Other drought categorizations included abnormally dry (D0) at nearly 34 percent, moderate drought (D1) at just over 38 percent, severe drought (D2) at 14 percent, and extreme drought (D3) at just over 4 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, 15% short, 75% adequate, and 5% surplus. Pasture and range condition 5% very poor, 0% poor, 70% fair, 15% good, and 10% excellent. While Nevada saw some precipitation in February, it was not enough to improve the drought conditions from the previous month. As of February 24, 34% of the State was not in a drought, 45% of the State was abnormally dry, while 19% was in Moderate Drought and 2% was in Severe Drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Alfalfa was still dormant. Annual weeds started to germinate. 

OREGON: In Polk County, February was dry until the final week. Three days of rain had led to ponding in crop fields. Spraying for weeds had begun. Hazelnut trees had produced many catkins, and pollination had occurred. In other parts of northwest Oregon, agronomic and horticultural crops had been good. It had been too wet to do any soil tilling, but there had been windows for crop protection applications. Benton and Lincoln counties experienced hail, snow, and flooding amid early spring growth. The significant rainfall and high tides caused localized flooding in pastureland. There had been an active growth of cool-season pasture grasses. While the snowpack in the Blue Mountains was well below normal, rainfall quantity and timing in lower elevations were beneficial for the wheat crop; however, stripe rust was evident on susceptible wheat varieties. Producers had begun preparing the ground for spring crops. In Malheur County, concerns over low snowpack and a lack of precipitation were growing ahead of the crop season. Lake County had received significant rainfall, helping increase storage levels in the reservoirs. 

UTAH: This report for Utah is for the entire month of February 2026. Topsoil moisture 8% very short, 36% short, 54% adequate, 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture 13% very short, 34% short, 53% adequate. Pasture and range condition 63% fair, 33% good, 4% excellent. Winter wheat condition 4% fair, 92% good, 4% excellent. Hay and roughage supplies 9% very short, 22% short, 65% adequate, 4% surplus. Stock water supplies 10% short, 82% adequate, 8% surplus. Cattle and calves condition 18% fair, 40% good, 42% excellent. Sheep and lambs condition 21% fair, 69% good, 10% excellent. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for cattle 90%. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for sheep 91%. Cows calved 11%. Ewes lambed-farm flock 8%. Ewes lambed-range flock 4%. Mild temperatures along with a few snowstorms occurred throughout the State for the month of February. Snowpack in Utah, according to Natural Resources Conservation Service as of March 2, 2026, was 61 percent measured as percent of median snowfall Beaver, Cache, Grand, and Summit Counties noted conditions were mild and abnormally dry during February with below normal snowpack. Cache, Grand, and Summit Counties receive some rain or snow within the past week. Beaver and Summit Counties reports that livestock producers were dealing with no calving and lambing issues. 

WASHINGTON: In Washington, snowpack remained significantly below normal. Overall, winter has been both warmer and drier than average. All regions received some moisture during the month, in most cases as rainfall. Producers across the State began moving forward with spring work. Winter crops generally looked good. Winter wheat mites were reported in northern Lincoln County, where some growers sprayed for them. Winter wheat was ahead of development, given the time of year. Herbicide spraying will start in the next few weeks as temperatures remain unseasonably warm. 

WYOMING: This report for Wyoming is for the entire month of February 2026. Topsoil moisture 41% very short, 38% short, 21% adequate. Subsoil moisture 55% very short, 29% short, 16% adequate. Winter wheat condition 18% very poor, 33% poor, 48% fair, 1% good. Cows calved 11%. Ewes lambed 15%. Sheep shorn 25%. Livestock condition 1% very poor, 1% poor, 12% fair, 73% good, 13% excellent. Pasture and range condition 20% very poor, 28% poor, 28% fair, 24% good. Hay and roughage supplies 3% very short, 16% short, 71% adequate, 10% surplus. Stock water supplies 20% very short, 21% short, 55% adequate, 4% surplus. February precipitation varied from average to well below average, depending on location, while average temperatures ran 6 degrees to more than 15 degrees above average. Survey comments noted extreme dryness across several counties, while other areas had received mountain snow and lever elevation rainfall. Producer concerns centered around diminished snowpack across most mountain ranges in the State, and the result that will have on irrigation water supplies. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor published for February 24, roughly 6 percent of the State was drought free, compared with about 4 percent drought free on February 25, 2025. Other drought categorizations included abnormally dry (D0) at just over 15 percent, moderate drought (D1) at just over 50 percent, severe drought (D2) at nearly 25 percent, and extreme drought (D3) at just over 3 percent.