Crop, Livestock, and Weather Digest, 2004 



January: During January, Montana had sub-zero 



temperatures and snowfall in most areas. Kalispell received 

 the most precipitation at 1.97 inches. Snow cover provided 

 good protection and moisture for the winter wheat crop. At 

 month's end, winter wheat conditions were rated mostly fair 

 to good. Livestock grazing was reported at 16% open, 

 compared to 81% open last year. Calving and lambing had 

 just begun by the end of the month. 



February: Montana had normal temperatures for the month 

 and below normal snowfall in most areas. Ekalaka and Hardin 

 received the most precipitation at 1.25 inches each. Ample 

 snow cover provided protection for the winter wheat crop. At 

 month's end, winter wheat conditions were rated mostly fair 

 to good. Livestock producers reported only 28% of the 

 pastures open for grazing at the end of February. One 

 hundred percent of both cattle and calves and sheep and 

 lambs were receiving supplemental feed. Calving and lambing 

 were 20% and 10% complete, respectively. 



March: Montana's weather was warm and dry in March. The 

 winter wheat crop was mostly in good to fair condition at 

 month's end. Mild weather allowed farmers to start seeding 

 spring grains. Grazing was reported 60% open at the end of 

 the month, compared to 72% open last year. One hundred 

 percent of both cattle and calves and sheep and lambs 

 continued to receive supplemental feed. Calving and lambing 

 were 52% and 39% complete, respectively. 



April: Montana received scattered rain throughout the state 

 during the month. Winter wheat conditions were below the 

 five-year average at month's end due to lack of moisture and 

 winter kill. Warm and mostly dry weather allowed producers 

 to make good seeding progress with spring crops. By the end 

 of the month, livestock grazing was 80% open. Due to dry 

 range and pasture conditions, 66% of the cattle and calves 

 and 58% of the sheep and lambs were receiving supplemental 

 feed. Calving and lambing were nearing completion. 



May: Warm, dry weather continued until the second week in 

 May when much needed rain and snow fell throughout the 

 state. Precipitation and lower temperatures prevailed the rest 

 of the month. Turner received the most precipitation for May 

 at 2.92 inches. As a result of wet, cool conditions, spring 

 planting and crop progress slowed down. Some producers in 

 eastern Montana had to replant their sugar beets because of a 

 hard freeze. At month's end, 55% of the cattle and calves 

 and 60% of the sheep and lambs had been moved to summer 

 pastures. 



June: The weather was warm and dry the first week in June. 

 Rain showers fell across the state the rest of the month. 

 Bozeman received the most precipitation at 2.61 inches. The 

 widespread moisture and cooler temperatures improved crop 

 conditions for almost all small grains but slowed crop 

 progress. At month's end, nearly all the cattle and calves and 

 sheep and lambs were moved to summer ranges. Range and 

 pasture feed conditions improved slightly with the 

 precipitation but were still behind last year and the five-year 

 average at the end of the month. 



July: Hot, dry weather prevailed across Montana in July. 

 Miles City set the high at 107 degrees. Winter wheat was 11% 

 harvested at the end of the month, significantly behind last 

 year and the 5-year average. The first cutting of alfalfa hay 

 was nearly complete, and the second cutting was underway by 

 the end of the month. In response to the summer weather, 

 range and pasture feed conditions declined. 



August: Most of the state received significant rainfall the first 

 part of the month. Baker received the most precipitation at 

 2.92 Inches. Conditions turned mild and dry at mid-month, 

 which helped crop development. Rainfall across the state 

 during the rest of the month, along with cooler temperatures, 

 slowed the spring grain harvest. At month's end, the spring 

 wheat, durum wheat, barley, and oats harvest progress was 

 well behind last year. Winter wheat was 95% harvested. 

 Range and pasture feed conditions improved slightly with the 



September: During the first part of the month, limited 

 rainfall, warmer temperatures, and a relatively dry week 

 allowed producers to speed up spring grains harvest. Rain 

 showers fell across the state the rest of the month. West 

 Glacier received the most precipitation at 2.11 inches. 

 Farmers took advantage of the good soil moisture conditions 

 to plant winter wheat. By month's end, winter wheat was 

 86% seeded, ahead of last year and the 5-year average. 

 Spring grain harvest was nearing completion, except for 

 durum wheat, which was 68% harvested. At the end of the 

 month, 45% of the cattle and calves and 51% of the sheep 

 and lambs had been moved from summer ranges. 



October: Montana had warm temperatures and limited 

 precipitation the first half of the month. During the third 

 week, the weather was cooler and rain fell in most areas of the 

 state. As a result, the 2005 winter wheat crop condition was 

 rated 75% good to excellent. At month's end, durum wheat 

 was 95% harvested, compared to 100% harvested last year. 

 Dry beans, sugar beets, and potato harvest came to a close. 

 By the end of the month, 75% of the cattle and calves and 

 83% of the sheep and lambs were moved off summer ranges. 



November: Temperatures were above normal for the month 

 with limited precipitation throughout the state. By the end of 

 the month, 98% of the winter wheat crop was emerged and 

 78% was rated in good to excellent condition. At the end of 

 the month, 48% of the cattle and calves and 41% of the sheep 

 and lambs received supplemental feed, fewer than last year. 



December: Montana had above normal temperatures until 

 the last week of December when colder temperatures and 

 snow arrived. At month's end, the winter wheat crop had very 

 little freeze or wind damage and 65% of the crop was rated in 

 good to excellent condition. At the end of the month, 82% of 

 the cattle and calves and 84% of the sheep and lambs were 

 receiving supplemental feed, compared with last year when 

 100% of both cattle and calves and sheep and lambs received 

 supplemental feed. 



6 General 



Montana Agricultural Statistics 2005 



