Light precipitation benefits crops

Light precipitation benefited crops and pastures over the week ending June 17, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, Montana. The high temperature for the state was recorded in Biddle at 97 degrees. The low temperature for the week was recorded in West Yellowstone at 11 degrees. Precipitation was reported at 91 weather stations. The highest recorded precipitation for the week was in Baker with 2.75 inches of moisture. Topsoil moisture conditions for the state were 85 percent adequate to surplus, above last year’s 51 percent. Subsoil moisture conditions were 80 percent adequate to surplus which is above last year’s 63 percent. Many reporters noted that precipitation had operators waiting for drier conditions to cut hay. In Teton County operators were applying fungicide to pulse crops. Phillips County has been notably lacking in moisture compared to the rest of the state and some operators have reported that dry conditions are endangering their barley crop.