I 



MONTANA CROPS & LIVESTOCK - 1985 



JANUARY; The month was generally cold with temperatures a few degrees below normal. Snowcover 

 was very light and wind damage to winter wheat was light to moderate. FEBRUARY; Temperatures 

 ranged 2 to 12 degrees below normal and precipitation was generally below to much below normal. 

 The dry, cool weather was good for the start of calving and lambing. Winter wheat remained dor- 

 mant. MARCH: The most part of the month temperatures were 2 to 8 degrees above normal. Precip- 

 itation was variable. Winter wheat began greening up by month's end. Calving and lambing con- 

 ditions were favorable and about 65 percent was completed by the end of the month. APR I L: Seed- 

 ing of spring crops got off to a slow start but by month's end progress was ahead of normal. Temp- 

 eratures normal to above with precipitation extremely variable. Calving approached completion with 

 90 percent of the calves dropped while lambing and shearing were about 85 percent complete. 

 MAY: Generally a warm dry month with critical moisture shortages developing. Winter wheat winter- 

 kill more than usual. Planting progress well ahead of normal and essentially complete for most crops 

 by month's end. Pasture and range growth slow due to lack of moisture. About 80 percent of the cat- 

 tle and sheep were moved to summer ranges. JUNE: Temperatures were generally above normal and 

 scattered showers did little to alleviate drought conditions. Crop conditions ranged from poor to 

 fair and crop development was ahead of normal due to the dry conditions. Grasshopper Infestations 

 were the heaviest In years. The weather was Ideal for haying. Pasture and range conditions deter- 

 iorated and stockwater shortages started to develop. JULY; Condition of all crops continued to 

 deteriorate as high temperatures and persistant winds aggravated the drought. Considerable acreage 

 of grain crops cut for hay or grazed to salvage from heavy grasshopper Infestations. Small grain 

 harvest started a week to two week's early. Forage supplies dwindled and stockwater supplies became 

 very short In many areas. AUGUST; Cooler temperatures and general showers came too late to help 

 any dryland crops, but delayed grain and hay harvest. However, by month's end harvest progress was 

 ahead of normal and seeding of winter wheat was getting started. Stockwater supplies Improved and 

 cattle and sheep were being moved to winter grazing areas. SEPTEMBER: Soil moisture supplies 

 continued to Improve and by the end of the month harvest progress of most crops was generally on 

 schedule. Sugarbeet harvest was Just getting underway. Stubble fields and fall pastures were pro- 

 viding good grazing In many areas. OCTOBER: Temperatures above normal the first half of the 

 month and generally below the last half. Harvest of all crops was essentially finished during the 

 month. Heavy culling of cattle herds and fewer calves were being held over because of short hay and 

 roughage supplies. NOVEMBER: Statewide, the month will go down as the coldest November on record. 

 Temperatures averaged 10 to 25 degrees below normal. Generally precipitation was above normal. Win- 

 ter wheat was In mostly fair to good condition going Into the winter. Record cold temperatures were 

 causing some stress on livestock. DECEMBER: The cold weather of November continued Into the month 

 with some moderation In temperatures by the end of the first week. The month was extremely dry over 

 nearly all the state. Snowcover for winter wheat was generally fair to good. Cold weather Increased 

 feeding requirements for livestock resulting In larger than usual amounts of hay and roughage being 

 used . 



