6 Gknerai. 



MON 1 ANA A(;RI( tlI.Tl'R.Al, STATISIK S 2001 



MONTANA C ROI'. MM S I ()( K. AM) WKATHKR DKiKS I, 2000 



January: The month was mostly warm, windy, and dry. Snow cover 

 on winter wheat fields caused producers concern with ratings of 1 ''h 

 excellent, 4% good, 26 % fair, 53*^ poor, and Xbic very poor. At the 

 end of January, wind damage to w inter wheat was rated at 39^ heavy. 

 31% moderate, 48% light, and 18% none. Calving and lambing had 

 just started by the end of the month, with few problems reported. 

 Livestock grazing was rated at 66% open, 23% difficult, and 1 1% 

 closed. 



February: Temperatures were fairly mild with significant snowfall 

 received in most ofthe major production areas in the state. However, 

 all regions ofthe state were averaging about 18% less precipitation 

 since October 1 of last year. Winter wheat protectiveness of snow 

 cover was rated at nearly the same as January. At month's end, the 

 winter wheat crop condition was rated 3%f excellent, 36% good, 52% 

 fair, 6% poor, and 3% very poor. As a result of the mild weather, 

 livestock were in good condition. Calving and lambing were 27%r 

 and 12% complete, respectively, both ahead of the average. 

 Livestock grazing was reported at 64% open, 14%; difficult, and 

 22% closed. 



March: Mild conditions during the month allowed producers to start 

 fleldwork, but the overall lack of snow cover, little moisture, and 

 high winds took its toll on the winter wheat crop. Almost all the 

 major production areas in the state received below normal 

 precipitation during March. At the end of the month, the winter 

 wheat crop was rated 60%- good and 36%. fair. As a result ofthe mild 

 weather, livestock remained in good condition. Calving was 49% 

 complete, behind last year's estimate of 55%. Lambing was 36% 

 complete, ahead of last year's estimate of 29%. Livestock grazing 

 was rated at 83%; open, 10%> ditTicult, and 1% closed. 



April: Several areas ofthe state received rain and snow showers the 

 first two weeks, but rainfall amounts were generally light the last 

 part ofthe month. Topsoil moisture was rated at short or very short 

 in 62%' of the state by the end of April. Producers made good 

 seeding progress with small grains during the month. Sugar beet 

 growers had planted 91%. of their crop at month's end. Calving and 

 lambing were 92%- and 78%) complete, respectively, both ahead of 

 last year. Producers were concerned about a water shortage for 

 livestock, as some ponds and reservoirs were reported either low or 

 empty. 



May: Good precipitation was received across the state the second 

 week in May, but dry conditions prevailed the rest of the month. 

 Small grains and sugar beet seeding was nearly complete at month's 

 end. All crops were rated mostly in good and fair conditiiin, except 

 for winter wheat. Stressed by drought, 55%. ofthe winter wheat was 

 reported in poor or very poor condition by the end of May Calving 

 and lambing were nearly complete. Seventy-five percent i)f the cattle 

 and calves and 68%i of the sheep and lambs had been moved to 

 summer ranges. At month's end, livestock producers were concerned 

 about water supplies and deteriorating pasture conditions due to the 

 lack of moisture. 



June: At the beginning ofthe month, rain showers fell across the 

 state. Despite the welcome moisture, many areas showed below 

 normal precipitation levels for the crop season. Rainfall amounts 

 were generally light the rest of the month. Topsoil moisiuie was 

 rated ■d\.1\% very short, SVh short, 18%) adequate, and 0%. surplus 

 by the end of June. Spring-sown crops matured quickly with the 

 warm weather. Crops in many areas began to show signs of drought 

 stress by the end of the month. Seventy percent of the winter wheat 

 crop was reported in poor and fair condition at month's end. The 

 state's grazing lands were 42% in poor or very poor shape. 



July: Thunderstorms brought moisture to the state the first week in 



July. Some producers reported damage to crops from hail and high 

 winds. Hot, dry weather prevailed the rest ofthe month, and crops 

 ripened quickly. Winter wheat was 39% harvested by the end ofthe 

 month, compared to the five-year average of 19%. Livestock 

 producers reported shortages of range and pasture feed and 

 livestock water in central and western Montana. At month's end, 

 many ranchers were hauling water to their livestock in the Central 

 and North Central regions ofthe state. 



August: Hot, dry weather continued the entire month. Winter 

 wheat and spring grains harvest was ahead of schedule. Many areas 

 ofthe state reported the small grain harvest as nearly complete by 

 month's end. Due to the lack of moisture, hay production decreased. 

 Many farmers reported they were purchasing hay and cutting their 

 drought-stricken grains for hay. Water shortages continued to 

 concern livestock producers. Because of fires in several areas of 

 Montana, ranchers had to move cattle from the fire zones. At 

 month's end, poor pasture and range conditions caused some 

 producers to sell off part of their livestock herds. 



September: At the beginning of the month, temperatures were 

 lower, and most areas received precipitation. The weather turned 

 ht)t and dry mid-month, which allowed producers to virtually 

 complete the small grains harvest. Cooler temperatures and rain, 

 and in some areas snow, returned to the state around the 24th of 

 September. Due to low soil moisture, winter wheat seeding was 

 25%f complete at month's end, compared with 67% at this time last 

 year. Because of the drought, 58% of the cattle and calves and 61% 

 ofthe sheep and lambs were mo\ed off summer pastures by the end 

 of September, much earlier than the five-year average of 35% and 

 39%, respectively, 



October: Cool, moist weather continued the first part of October, 

 which encouraged farmers to seed winter wheat. Mid-month warm 

 and dry conditions allowed farmers to make good progress with the 

 sugar beet and potato harvest. Cooler temperatures returned to the 

 stale the last week in October. Winter wheat seeding was 92% 

 complete at month's end. Eighty-five percent of the cattle and 

 calves and 87% of the sheep and lambs were reported moved off 

 summer pastures by the end of the month. Hay continued to be 

 hauled in from several areas around the state and country. 



November: The month started out warm but turned bitterly cold. 

 Many record lows were recorded across the state. By the end of 

 November, winter wheat had emerged on 84% of the seeded 

 acreage. Good snowfall amounts pros ided adequate protection and 

 moisture for the winter wheat crop, unlike the last couple of years. 

 Topst)il and subsoil moisture conditions improved with ihe 

 precipitation received during the monlh. Li\eslock were reported 

 in good condition. By the end of the month, ranchers had moved 

 nearly all the cattle and calves and sheep and lambs off summer 

 pastures. 



December: The first week of December had normal temperatures 

 and dry conditions. On the 8lh, an Arctic front brought very cold 

 weather, which remained for most of the month. Snow cover 

 provided good protection and moisture for the winter wheat crop. 

 Wind damage was minimal. The drought continued to affect 

 livestock producers. Due to low hay production and the lack of 

 grazing, hay supplies were in demand. Hay was hauled in from 

 several areas around the state and country. As a result of severe 

 weather conditions and feed shortages in December, producers 

 reported higher than normal livestock deaths. 



