2009 Montana USA, Crop, Livestock, and Weather Digest
Last updated: November 16, 2009
  
 
January: Temperatures were above normal for the month with below normal precipitation. High temperatures were mostly in the 50s and 60s. St. Marie had the low of minus 38 degrees. Snow cover on winter wheat fields declined from December, but wind, freeze, and drought damage was minimal. At month's end, winter wheat conditions were 68 percent good to excellent, compared to 32 percent last year. Ninety-four percent of cattle and calves and ninety-five percent of sheep and lambs received supplemental feed. Calving and lambing had just begun.

February: Most of Montana received below normal moisture during February. Swan Lake had the most monthly accumulated precipitation at 2.59 inches. Temperatures were mostly above normal. Grass Range, Roundup, and Hardin reached the high of 64 degrees, and Wisdom had the low of minus 19. At the end of the month, winter wheat conditions were 59 percent good to excellent, ahead of last year’s 35 percent. Calving and lambing were 20 percent and 9 percent complete, respectively. The number of livestock receiving supplemental feed remained high at month’s end, nearly the same as last month.

March: Montana had moderate precipitation during March. High temperatures ranged from the 40s to the 70s. Scobey had the low of minus 33 degrees. At month's end, topsoil moisture conditions were 85 percent adequate to surplus, well above last year's 30 percent. Subsoil moisture conditions were 74 percent adequate to surplus, compared to last year's 24 percent. Winter wheat conditions were 56% good to excellent at the end of the month. Calving and lambing were 52 percent and 30 percent complete, respectively. Most livestock continued to receive supplemental feed.

April: Montana received sporadic snowstorms the first week and rain the third week. High temperatures around the state ranged from the 40s and 50s during the first part of the month to the 70s and 80s the last part. At month's end, topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions continued to be significantly ahead of last year. Winter wheat crop conditions were 64 percent good to excellent. Wet fields and cooler temperatures slowed down spring grains planting. By the end of the month, calving and lambing were 85 percent and 70 percent complete, respectively.

May: During the week ending May 3rd, a major spring snow storm across much of the state resulted in over 4,000 livestock deaths in Carter and Powder River counties. Warm, dry weather mid-month allowed farmers back into the fields for spring planting. Small grains were nearly all 90 percent or more seeded by the end of the month. Winter wheat crop conditions were 60 percent good to excellent. Range and pasture feed conditions were ahead of last year and the five-year average. Seventy-four percent of cattle and calves and sixty percent of sheep and lambs had been moved to summer ranges at month's end.

June: Montana had light to moderate precipitation during the month. Warm summer temperatures prevailed. At the end of the month, winter wheat crop conditions were 49 percent good to excellent, with 84 percent of the crop headed. Spring grains were in good to excellent condition. The first cutting of hay was in full swing. Ranchers had moved all cattle and sheep to summer pastures by month's end.

July: At the beginning of the month, the weather was hot and dry. Rain fell across the state the second and third weeks. Farmers started to harvest winter wheat at month's end. Several spring crops were near harvest. The first cutting of hay was almost complete. Pastures in many areas of the state received little precipitation at the end of the month and were drying out. Range and pasture feed conditions were behind last year and the five-year average.

August: The state had above average temperatures and heavy rainfall in many areas the first week. Wet fields and cooler temperatures the second week continued to delay harvest. Hot, dry conditions the rest of the month allowed producers back into the fields. At the end of the month, winter wheat harvest was 86 percent complete. Harvest of most small grains was well behind normal. Durum wheat was 15 percent harvested by month's end, compared to last year's 69 percent and the five-year average of 58 percent. Range and pasture feed conditions were 35 percent good to excellent.

September: Temperatures were above normal and precipitation was limited for most of the month. On September 30, Central and Southwest Montana set several new records for precipitation, including snowfall. Winter wheat harvest was wrapped up by mid-month. Small grains harvest and the second cutting of hay were nearing completion at month's end. Sugar beet crop conditions were 79 percent excellent to good and harvest was underway. Winter wheat seeding was 69 percent complete. By the end of the month, ranchers had moved 43 percent of livestock from summer ranges.


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