CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION WEEK ENDING APRIL 16, 2017

This week was mostly spring-like temperatures with scattered precipitation in the form of rain and snow which varied greatly across Montana, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. High temperatures ranged from the low 50s to the lower 80s and low temperatures ranged from 11 degrees in Wisdom to the lower 30s. Precipitation in the form of rain and snow was present but varied across the State, with the highest amount recorded in Great Falls with 1.36 inches of moisture. Other reporting stations recorded receiving between none to 1.24 inches of moisture. Topsoil moisture conditions were 93 percent adequate to surplus which is above of last year’s 61 percent. Subsoil moisture conditions are 87 percent adequate to surplus, well above last year’s 55 percent. Some reporters are noting that fields are too wet to begin planting and there were only 3.9 days suitable for fieldwork this week compared with 4.5 days suitable last year and the 5-year average of 4.3 days suitable. Despite these difficulties in some areas, dry peas, lentils, oats and sugar beets seeding has begun for some with 9 percent of dry peas, 1 percent of lentils, 1 percent of oats, and 2 percent of sugars beets planted so far which is behind both last year and the 5-year average for those crops. Winter wheat condition is rated 77 percent good to excellent, compared with 58 percent last year. Livestock grazing is 94 percent open to difficult compared to 83 percent at the same time last year. Pasture and range conditions are emerging from winter with 56 percent rated good to excellent compared with 21 percent last year and the 5-year average of 26 percent.