Precipitation slows fieldwork

Precipitation over the week ending May 13 improved pasture and range conditions but slowed fieldwork, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, Montana. The high temperature for the state was recorded in Loma and Superior at 85 degrees. The low temperature for the week was recorded in Cut Bank at 26 degrees. Precipitation was reported at 92 weather stations. The highest recorded precipitation for the week was in Big Timber with 2.73 inches of moisture. Reporters noted that rains late in the week delayed field work which was already lagging due to the late spring. Some low lying fields had standing water, but pastures were helped by the moisture. Topsoil moisture conditions for the state were 87 percent adequate to surplus, above last year’s 78 percent. Subsoil moisture conditions were 77 percent adequate to surplus which is below last year’s 83 percent. Winter wheat was reported with 13 percent of the crop having booted. Winter wheat condition was rated as 58 percent good to excellent compared to 61 percent this time last year.