Montana

During the week ending Oct. 23, there were 6.2 days suitable for field work, according to the Montana Agricultural Statistics Service, Oct. 24.

Montana experienced light precipitation last week, with above normal temperatures. Topsoil moisture is 55 percent adequate and surplus, behind last week's 59 percent, but above last year's 50 percent and the 27 percent five-year average. Subsoil moisture is 32 percent adequate and surplus, below last week's 34 percent, but above last year's 21 percent, and the five-year average of 14 percent.

Winter Wheat emerged, at 69 percent, is behind last year's 81 percent, and behind the five-year average of 70 percent. Winter Wheat seeding is 98 percent complete compared with last year's 99 percent, and the five-year average of 96 percent. Dry bean harvest is 91 percent, behind last year's 96 percent, and the five-year average of 98 percent.

Range and pasture feed conditions were reported 9 percent very poor, 17 percent poor, 35 percent fair, 31 percent good, and 8 percent excellent; the five-year averages are 31 percent very poor, 32 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 10 percent good and 1 percent excellent. Ranchers have moved 72 percent of cattle and calves, 72 percent last year, and 72 percent of sheep and lambs, 80 percent last year, off summer ranges. Ranchers are providing supplemental feed to 12 percent of cattle and calves, 11 percent last year, and 12 percent of sheep and lambs, 14 percent last year.