Spring crops too green for harvesting

Scattered rain and smoky conditions were observed throughout the state for the week ending Aug. 26, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, Montana. The high temperature for the state was recorded in Hardin at 95 degrees. The low temperature for the week was recorded in Yellowstone at 20 degrees. Precipitation was reported at 91 weather stations. The highest recorded precipitation for the week was in Wibaux with 1.15 inches of moisture. Topsoil moisture conditions for the state were 40 percent adequate to surplus, above last year’s 3 percent. Subsoil moisture conditions were 43 percent adequate to surplus which is above last year’s 11 percent. Northwestern areas of the state are still reporting that spring crops are too green for harvesting, while the northeastern area of the state reported that harvest yields varied, even within the same field. Roosevelt County reported rain in the latter half of the week, which delayed harvesting of some crops. Rainfall in Phillips County softened grasses for livestock and delayed harvesting, but water availability remains a concern. Teton County reported good yields on dry-land winter wheat and irrigated grains, but predicted that late planted f dry-land crops may not fare as well.