| Montana Matters
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Crop report shows areas of drought affecting harvests
September 19, 2011
Editor@montanaliving.com
Weather Summary
Montana had hot days and cold nights for the week ending September 18. The high for Montana of 93 degrees was recorded in Superior and Thompson Falls. The highs for most other weather stations ranged from the lower 80s to lower 90s. Scobey saw the statewide low of 18 degrees and fourteen other stations recorded freezing lows. Wisdom received the greatest precipitation in the state for the week at 0.64 of an inch, with most other weather stations reporting 0 to 0.40 of an inch. Both topsoil and subsoil adequate and surplus moisture conditions have declined significantly from last year. Topsoil moisture adequate and surplus is 20 percent which is below both last year’s 89 percent and the five-year average of 52 percent. Subsoil moisture adequate and surplus, at 42 percent, is below last year’s 85 percent but unchanged from the five-year average. The number of days suitable for fieldwork, at 6.8 days, was just below last week’s 7.0 days but above the five-year average of 5.0 days.
The weather outlook for September 26th through October 2nd the east side of the Divide is for above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation. West of the Divide can expect above normal temperatures and near normal precipitation. Normal temperatures for this period are highs 60 to upper 60s with lows in the upper 20s to the lower 40s.
Livestock Report
Range and pasture feed conditions were rated below last year but edged above the five-year average. This week’s good to excellent rating sits at 49%, below last year’s 53% but above the five-year average at 30%. Movement of livestock from summer ranges continues as damage is being reported in some areas due to large numbers of grasshoppers and dry weather.
Field Crops Report
Montana spring wheat harvest progressed to 83% harvested with continued reports of drought and grasshopper damage, particularly to areas with late seeding. Harvest remains ahead of last year’s 63% harvested, at this time, but is slightly behind the five-year average of 87%. Harvest of other small grains is progressing similarly ahead of last year for both barley and oats. Planting of winter wheat is at 25% planted with reports of grasshoppers and declining soil moisture continuing to delay seeding and raising concerns about the crop being adversely affected by these conditions. Producers are wrapping their second cuttings of hay ahead of last year for both alfalfa and other hay with 94% and 88% completed respectively.
Livestock Report
Range and pasture feed conditions were rated below last year but edged above the five-year average. This week’s good to excellent rating sits at 49%, below last year’s 53% but above the five-year average at 30%. Movement of livestock from summer ranges continues as damage is being reported in some areas due to large numbers of grasshoppers and dry weather.
THIS INFORMATION IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT: http://www.nass.usda.gov/mt/ |
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