Moisture improves crop conditions

Light precipitation and mild temperatures benefited crops and pastures over the week ending June 3, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, Montana. The high temperature for the state was recorded in Ridgeway and Superior at 88 degrees. The low temperature for the week was recorded in West Yellowstone at 16 degrees. Precipitation was reported at 91 weather stations. The highest recorded precipitation for the week was in Busby with 3.01 inches of moisture. Topsoil moisture conditions for the state were 85 percent adequate to surplus, above last year’s 57 percent. Subsoil moisture conditions were 77 percent adequate to surplus which is below last year’s 79 percent. While precipitation slowed planting which was already running behind, crop conditions were improved by the moisture. The exception being Judith Basin with many fields too wet to seed, in addition to hail falling this past week.