Smut reported in oat, barley crops

Moderate temperatures and scattered precipitation were observed throughout the state for the week ending Sept. 9, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, Montana. The high temperature for the state was recorded in Powderville at 96 degrees. The low temperature for the week was recorded in Yellowstone at 27 degrees. Precipitation was reported at 40 weather stations. The highest recorded precipitation for the week was in Harlowton with 0.35 of an inch of moisture. Topsoil moisture conditions for the state were 37 percent adequate to surplus, above last year’s 1 percent. Subsoil moisture conditions were 35 percent adequate to surplus which is above last year’s 6 percent. Hill County reported that spring wheat has been slow to mature, while harvest for the crop was concluding in Phillips County. Teton County noted that initial reports of chickpea harvest were positive for yield and quality. Hill County has reported a few cases of smut in oat and barley crops. Rain in Phillips County greened pastures, according to reporters.