The range consists of desert shrubs and short grasses. About 5 percent of the area is irrigated. Most of the acreage is planted to alfalfa and other feed crops, but dry beans, malt barleys, sugar beets, and corn are important cash crops. In some places the plains are eroded to the clay shale bedrock, and there are areas of badland. Average annual precipitation 125 to 225 mm.
Maximum precipitation is in spring and in fall.
About 7 C. Average freeze-free period 120 to 140 days. The low and erratic precipitation provides only a small amount of water. The Wind-Big Horn River and its tributaries bring irrigation water into the area from the bordering mountains. Deep artesian wells provide water for irrigation on the eastern side of the Big Horn Basin. The dominant soils are Argids.