CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION WEEK ENDING APRIL 30, 2017

AGRICULTURAL SUMMARY: Montana was mostly cool and wet with some areas receiving a large amount of precipitation this week, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. High temperatures ranged from the upper 40s to 70 degrees and low temperatures ranged from 17 degrees in Sidney to the upper 30s. Most of the State received measurable precipitation, with the highest amount recorded in Joliet with 2.43 inches of moisture while other stations recorded between zero and 2.05 inches of moisture. Stormy weather and saturated fields limited producers to just 3.7 days suitable for fieldwork this week. Soil moisture conditions are well above both last year and the 5-year average with 92 percent of topsoil and 89 percent of subsoil rated adequate to surplus. Spring seedings are underway for all crops surveyed at this time though most are behind last year and the 5-year average. Winter wheat has just begun to enter boot stage with 1 percent booted which is the same as last year at this time and ahead of the 5-year average. Livestock producers are coming to the end of birthing season and preparing to move their animals to summer ranges and reducing the amount of supplemental feed provided as grasses fill in. Pasture and range land is currently rated 51 percent good to excellent compared with 28 percent last year and the 5-year average of 31 percent.