Some spring wheat fields being abandoned

Hot, dry weather was observed in much of the state for the week ending July 22, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, Montana. The high temperature for the state was recorded in Malta at 105 degrees. The low temperature for the week was recorded in West Yellowstone at 27 degrees. Precipitation was reported at 54 weather stations. The highest recorded precipitation for the week was in Culbertson with 2.20 inches of moisture. Topsoil moisture conditions for the state were 50 percent adequate to surplus, above last year’s 8 percent. Subsoil moisture conditions were 58 percent adequate to surplus which is above last year’s 12 percent. There were reports of spring wheat fields being abandoned in Phillips County due to poor germination and lack of moisture. According to reporters in Daniels County golf ball sized hail damaged crops in the area. The dry weather assisted chickpea crops, which had been struggling with fungus according to reporters in Teton County.