Wet conditions limit fieldwork

Low temperatures and wet conditions were widespread throughout Montana for the month of March, according toUSDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, Montana. Topsoil moisture conditions were 86 percent adequate to surplus which is below last year’s 93 percent. Subsoil moisture conditions were 68 percent adequate to surplus, which is below last year’s 87 percent.

Montana continued to wait for spring conditions to arrive during the week ending April 1. High temperatures were recorded in Billings and Townsend at 62 degrees. The low temperature for the week was recorded in Saco at -14 degrees. Precipitation in the form of snowfall was reported at 78 weather stations. Topsoil moisture conditions were 87 percent adequate to surplus which is below last year’s 93 percent. Subsoil moisture conditions are 65 percent adequate to surplus, which is well below last year’s 87 percent. Reporters noted that conditions remained too wet for fieldwork throughout the state, with snowy conditions reported in much of the state.

The remaining snow has made rating the progress and condition of the winter wheat crop difficult in many areas, according to reporters. Winter wheat was reported with 3 percent of the crop breaking dormancy, significantly behind last year’s progress report of 53 percent for the same week. Fifty-eight percent of the winter wheat crop was rated in good to excellent condition.