MONTANA CROPS and LIVESTOCK - 1986 



January; Record breaking warm temperatures ranged from the mid 40's to low 

 60's. Precipitation varied widely with central regions less than half of 

 normal while other areas had 80% normal. The winter wheat crop was 47% 

 good at the end of the month. 



February; Weather turned cold as temperatures returned to seasonal levels. 

 Precipitation well above normal as heavy rain and snow fell at mid-month. 

 The winter wheat crop was reported as 67% fair and 33% good. Calving and 

 lambing was about 35% completed by month's end. 



March; Warm temperatures across Montana ranged from 7 to 15 degrees above 

 normal to slightly below. The winter wheat crop remained in fair to good 

 condition. In some areas winter wheat v/as greening by the end of the 

 month. Calving and lambing was nearly 50% complete. 



Apri 1; Fairly mild temperatures vvere interrupted in mid-month by severely 

 cold weather which resulted in calf and lamb losses. Precipitation was 

 light which put planting of spring grains ahead of normal. Calving and 

 lambing were 80% complete. 



Hay; Cool and wet conditions slowed planting and by month's end progress 

 was average. Livestock were moving to summer pastures at a normal rate 

 with 50% moved. 



June; Unseasonably hot weather early in the month coupled with moderate 

 precipitation spurred rapid development of crops and pastures. Crop 

 conditons were mostly good to excellent. First cutting of alfalfa was 10% 

 behind average. 



July: Temperatures and precipitation were mostly normal, with the 

 exception of sub-freezing temperature in the west and southwest at mid- 

 month. Winter wheat harvest got underway by the 15th. Severe infestation 

 of grasshoppers occurred in the eastern and central parts of the state. 



August; Hot and dry weather left topsoil moisture very short in many 

 areas. Dry weather allowed harvesting activities to progress normally. 

 Grasshopper and aphid activity declined somewhat. Late season crops growth 

 and conditions were mostly good. 



September: Very wet conditions halted small grain harvest and reduced 

 grain quality over many areas of Montana. Serious flooding occurred along 

 the Milk River. Cattle and sheep movement from summer ranges was normal 

 and grazing prospects rated mostly fair to good. 



October; Continued precipitation the first half of month stalled the drive 

 toward final harvest. Nice weather later on permitted farmers to finish up 

 on small grain and second cutting alfalfa. One-third of the winter wheat 

 emerged. Two-thirds of the cattle and sheep were moved from summer 

 pastures . 



November: The winter wheat crop was approximately 80 percent emerged when 

 cold weather brought dormancy. Snow cover protection was average and 

 winter wheat conditions was mostly fair. Temperatures averaged below 

 normal over the entire state for the period. 



December; Temperatures were generally normal while precipitation was about 

 70% of normal. Snow cover protection deteriorated, but the winter wheat 

 crop remained fair. Grazing on winter ranges was mostly open and water 

 supplies adequate. 



