Small grain harvest begins

High winds and temperatures along with limited precipitation were the norm throughout the state for the week ending July 29, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, Montana. The high temperature for the state was recorded in Biddle and Broadus at 98 degrees. The low temperature for the week was recorded in Yellowstone at 28 degrees. Precipitation was reported at 69 weather stations. The highest recorded precipitation for the week was in Turner with 1.49 inches of moisture. Topsoil moisture conditions for the state were 47 percent adequate to surplus, above last year’s 4 percent. Subsoil moisture conditions were 54 percent adequate to surplus which is above last year’s 10 percent. Small grain harvest has begun, but is behind last year’s progress. Producers have started harvesting lentils with 4 percent complete, well behind last year’s progress of 47 percent. Several reports from northwest areas indicate that soil conditions are drying out due to no precipitation, high winds, and high temperatures. According to a reporter in Teton County, the area was impacted by hail and wind damage. According to a reporter in Roosevelt County, the previous week’s storm damage was greater than originally estimated, with some crops totally lost in the county.