MONTANA CROPS & LIVESTOCK - 1984 



JANUARY : The weather turned warmer after the extreme cold of December. Temperatures averaged 5 

 to 15 degrees above normal . Snowcover was very I Ight, but wind damage to winter wheat was I tght. 

 FEBRUARY : Temperatures were general ly warmer than normal. Precipitation was above normal In the 

 southwest, south central and below normal elsewhere. Despite the poor snowcover winter wheat re- 

 mained in generally good condition. The mild weather allowed calving and lambing to start under 

 good conditions. MARCH : Most of the State enjoyed above normal temperatures al I month. Precipi- 

 tation was generally above normal. Winter wheat continued to be in good condition and was greening 

 by the end of the month. The warm weather provided excel lent calving and lambing conditions and 

 about 45 percent of the calving and lambing was completed by month's end. APR I L : A major spring 

 storm began the last week of the month over the southwest and south central with the southeast 

 tailing the brunt of the storm. The storm ruined what had been Ideal calving and lambing conditions 

 and resulted in large losses. IVInter wheat remained In good condition. HAY : Cool, especially the 

 first half of the month. Topsoil moisture was generally short especially In the north central and 

 northeastern parts of the State. Seeding started earlier than normal and was generally completed by 

 month's end. In some eastern areas stockwater was becoming critically short. JUNE: Long awaited 

 rains came to parched areas of the north central and northeast. Temperatures averaged below normal 

 for the month. Crop development was generally ahead of normal. The rains benefited pastures and 

 ranges but growth was slow and grazing was short in many areas. JULY ; A hot and dry month. The 

 hot dry weather accelerated crop development and by month's end 10 percent of the winter wheat was 

 harvested. Range feed and stockwater supplies were short In the north central, central, and eastern 

 areas of the State. AUGUST : Another very hot month. Record high temperatures were set at many 

 locations. Precipitation was generally light to moderate. Harvest progress of grains and hay was 

 ahead of normal aided by the ideal weather. Grasshopper damage was moderate over most of the State 

 but was heaviest In the south central and east. Some ranchers started supplemental feeding due to 

 lack of forage for livestock. SEPTEMBER : Harvest of small grains was wrapped up by mid-month and 

 harvesting progress of corn silage and dry beans was running ahead of normal. Sugarbeet harvest was 

 just getting underway by month's end. Winter wheat seeding was running behind schedule due to dry 

 soil condition. Over half the cattle and sheep had been moved to winter grazing areas. OCTOBER : 

 Warm the first half of the month, but much cooler tha last half. Corn silage harvest was completed 

 by mid-month and harvest of dry beans, potatoes and sugarbeets was finished by month's end. Emer- 

 gence of the winter wheat crop was running behind schedule and most of the crop was In only fair 

 condition. A considerable amount of supplemental feeding to livestock was being done due to short- 

 age of winter grazing. NOVEMBER ; Temperatures were very near normal but precipitation was genei — 

 al ly below normal for the month. Wind damage to winter wheat was I ight even though snowcover ranged 

 from very little to none. Most livestock were on supplemental feed. DECEMBER : Temperatures aver- 

 aged 5 to 15 degrees below normal over al I the State. The area west of the Divide had the heaviest 

 precipitation. Livestock were In generally good condition despite cold temperatures and difficult 

 graz ing. 



