6 MONTANA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS 



MONTANA CROPS AND LIVESTOCK — 1972 



Except for a very cold and windy January, winter weather was about normal with good 

 snowcover during the most severe portions. Snowpack in the mountains developed to above 

 normal levels in all areas, assuring ample irrigation water supplies for the season. Spring 

 broke early but dryness and cold retarded crop development and delayed spring grain 

 planting a little more than normal. 



An important feature of the 1972 growing season was an unusually dry June in the western 

 two-thirds of the State. This near-drought was followed by intermittent rains during the 

 second half of July and through most of August. The eastern third of the State had sufficient 

 moisture throughout the season. Portions of the central and northcentral districts were the 

 hardest hit by dry weather. August rains held up winter wheat harvest but greatly enhanced 

 spring grain prospects. As dry weather returned late in August, harvest of all crops made 

 steady progress until completion. 



Freezing temperatures occurred in the western portion of the State about September 10. 

 During the week of September 25 the whole State saw freezing temperatures, along with rain 

 and snow. 



CROPS 



Dry topsoils in September 1971 made winter wheat seeding somewhat risky in the 

 northern border counties, but generally, seeding the 1972 crop proceeded on schedule after a 

 slow start. By mid-winter the crop was laying under protective snowcover and in generally 

 good condition. Most of the snow melted in late February after a cold and windy season. 

 Winter precipitation was above normal but by late spring, dry soils were common in the north- 

 central, central and southwest districts. Dryness and cold during the spring slowed planting 

 and retarded plant growth. By mid-summer crops were generally in good condition and rains 

 the latter half of July through most of August enhanced spring grain prospects. However, 

 some areas in central and northcentral districts remained dry. 



The harvest season which began in late July was interrupted by rains but progressed 

 normally from mid-August until the latter part of September when showers, morning dew and 

 cold temperatures slowed activities. Most all crops were completely harvested by late 

 October. 



LIVESTOCK 



The cold winter weather put stress on hay supplies and shortages developed in many 

 areas. Range feed remained short until early June, when warm weather stimulated growth. 

 Calving and lambing was complete by mid-May and losses were about normal. The summer 

 grazing season provided ample forage in most areas. Some grasshopper damage occurred in 

 late July in the southwest. Movement of cattle and sheep from summer ranges was mostly 

 completed by the end of October and livestock were in good condition at the start of winter 

 feeding season. 



