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First cutting of hay completeMontana Montana received below normal precipitation for the week ending Aug. 17, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Aug. 18. Opheim received the most weekly accumulated precipitation at 0.93 of an inch. Highs were mostly in the 80s to 90s, and lows mostly ranged from 30s to 50s. Thompson Falls had the high temperature of 103 degrees, and Wisdom had the low temperature of 29 degrees. Topsoil moisture adequate and surplus, at 20 percent, is below last week's 23 percent, but is above last year's 11 percent and the five-year average of 17 percent. Subsoil moisture adequate and surplus is 20 percent, below last week's 25 percent, but above last year's 18 percent and the five-year average of 18 percent. The number of days suitable for field work was 6.5 days, down from the previous week's 6.6 days. The weather outlook for Aug. 25 to 31 is for above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation both east and west of the continental divide. Normal temperatures for this period in Montana are highs in the mid 70s to the upper 80s and lows in the upper 30s to the upper 50s. Durum wheat, oats, spring wheat, and winter wheat conditions have improved this week from the previous week. The small grains have almost finished turning, and the hot temperatures should help ripen the rest of the spring grains. Winter wheat harvest in the north central district is about a month behind last year. Farmers are done with the first cutting of hay fields. Movement of livestock from summer ranges is slower than last year and the five-year average. Range and pasture feed conditions have declined this week with 32 percent good to excellent compared to 39 percent the previous week. Moisture is short and rain is needed for dryland grasses. 8/25/08 Date: 8/19/08
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