1997 Montana A<.ki( i mi kai.Si atisik s (;knkr\i -( uor. Lisfsux k, & VNKMiit k Dk.ksi 7 



MONTANA CROP, LIVESTOCK, AND WEATHER DIGEST, 1996 



January: There were some good snow falls during the month, and bitter cold temperatures were recorded. Snow cover 

 of winter wheat fields was rated mostly fair to good. There was minimal wind damage reported on the wheat fields. 

 Calving and lambing had just started by the end of the month. Grazing was rated 53% difficult and the rest closed. 



February: The month started out very cold, but warmed up quickly the first week. Flooding was noted statewide during 

 the first half of the month. By the end of the month some cold weather moved back in. Snow cover on winter wheat 

 fields was mostly fair to good and wind damage was reported as minimal. Calving was 23% complete and lambing 14% 

 complete by the end of the month. Grazing was rated mostly difficult. 



March: The month started out cold, turned warmer, and ended cold. Most areas of the state received slightly above 

 normal precipitation. Farmers were getting ready for April field work. Snow cover on winter wheat was rated mostly 

 fair to good. Producers reported this year's calving and lambing season being an "ordeal" because of the long winter. 

 Calving and lambing were 64% and 37% complete, respectively. 



April: Spring planting was held up by wet conditions at the beginning of the month. Not until the last week in April 

 were producers able to make good progress in seeding. By the end of the month 1 6% of the spring wheat and i 8% of the 

 barley were seeded. The winter wheat crop was rated mostly in good condition. Livestock producers started moving 

 their cattle and sheep to summer ranges. Calving was 90% complete and lambing was 74% complete by April 30. 



May: Seeding remained behind normal for most of the month. By the end of the month, 90% of the spring wheat and 

 barle>' had been seeded. Cool weather hampered plant and pasture growth. Most areas of the state received ample 

 precipitation. Spring wheat and barley conditions were rated 85% good to excellent, while winter wheat was rated nearly 

 60% good to excellent. Over half of the livestock had been moved to summer ranges. 



June: Warm, dry weather allowed excellent growing conditions during the month. By the end of the month, though, 

 many areas of the state were looking for some moisture. At month's end all small grains were rated about 60% good to 

 excellent and the first cutting of alfalfa was 30% complete. Pasture and ranged feed condition was rated mostly good to 

 excellent. 



July: The month was marked by warm, dry conditions. Scattered showers in the third week helped some areas, but more 



moisture was needed. The small grain conditions started dropping due to the lack of moisture. Crop maturity was ahead 

 of normal. Winter wheat harvest was 2% complete by the end of the month. The second cutting of alfalfa hay had just 

 begun. 



August: Continued warm, dry conditions covered the state. Small grain harvest was well ahead of normal. Winter 

 wheat harvest was virtually done by the end of the month while the spring grain harvest was about 75% complete. There 

 were numerous reports of grasshopper damage. Fire danger was reported as critical in many areas of the state. Pasture 

 and range feed condition fell noticeably from the beginning of the month. 



September: Spring wheat and barley harvest was nearly done by the middle of the month. Rains that came halfway into 

 the month held up finishing small grain harvest. Winter wheat growers were finalK able to make some head\sa\ seeding 

 after the rains came. By the end of the month only 32% of the winter wheat had been seeded, well behind normal. Row 

 crop harvest was progressing well by month's end. Livestock producers had moved over 30% of the cattle and sheep off 

 summer ranges. 



October: The first few weeks of October provided excellent conditions for winter wheat seeding. By the third week, 

 seeding was virtually wrapped up. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough moisture in some areas, or it came too late, and 

 producers ended up planting the second smallest winter wheat crop since 195 1 . Row crop har\'est progressed well during 

 the month. Livestock producers had moved over 80% of the sheep and lambs off summer ranges. 



November: The month was cold and wet. Most of the state received heavy snowfall which provided good protection to 

 the winter wheat crop. Just over 90% of the winter wheat crop had emerged before temperatures became too cold. The 

 winter wheat condition was rated mostly fair to good. Nearly all the livestock had been taken off summer ranges. 

 Grazing was rated mostly difficult to closed. 



December: Most areas of the state received above normal precipitation. There was good snow cover on most of the 

 winter wheat. Some wind damage was reported. Grazing was still rated mostly difficult to closed. Hay was reported to 

 be in short supply because of heavy feeding so early in the season. 



