Most wheat rated good to excellent

Low temperatures and deep snow were widespread throughout Montana for the month of February, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, Montana. Topsoil moisture conditions were 69 percent adequate to surplus, which is below last year’s 85 percent. Subsoil moisture conditions are 57 percent adequate to surplus, which is below last year’s 82 percent. Reporters in northwestern areas of the state welcomed colder temperatures in order to firm up the ground before calving gets underway. However, reporters in central areas of the state were concerned that the ground was not frozen deeply enough, noting concerns that runoff may not be captured in pits or reservoirs once conditions begin to thaw. Reporters noted that heavy snow cover prevented them from confirming the condition of their winter wheat, but they suspected little to no wind or frost damage due to the heavy snow cover. Winter freeze and wind damage to winter wheat remains low with 85 percent of reporters observing no freeze and drought damage, and 85 percent reporting no wind damage. Winter wheat snow coverage for the state is rated 79 percent good to excellent compared with 26 percent at this time last year. Winter wheat condition is rated 54 percent good to excellent, compared with 51 percent last year. Grazing accessibility was limited with 72 percent of grazing lands reported as inaccessible or closed, and 22 percent rated as difficult. Livestock producers are providing supplemental feed at similar rates as the previous year at this time with 100 percent of cattle and 99 percent of sheep being fed. Reporters noted that feed stores were depleting quickly with some ranchers selling cattle due to the long winter and low hay stocks following the 2017 drought. A monthly report will be released for March on March 26.