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Recent moisture should help improve crop conditionsMontana Almost all areas of the state received above normal precipitation for the week ending May 25, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Montana Field Office, May 28. Grass Range had the most moisture with 5.69 inches, and Valentine had the second most with 4.72 inches. Highs were mostly in the 70s and 80s, and lows were mostly in the 30s and 40s. Wolf Point and Miles City shared the high temperature of 91 degrees, and Boulder had the low temperature of 29 degrees. Topsoil moisture adequate and surplus, at 79 percent, is below last year's 87 percent, but is above last week's 43 percent and the five-year average of 72 percent. Subsoil moisture adequate and surplus is 46 percent, below last year's 73 percent and the five-year average of 53 percent, but above last week's 25 percent. The number of days suitable for field work was 2.8 days. The weather outlook for June 3 through June 9 is for near normal temperatures and above normal precipitation east of the continental divide and for near normal temperatures and near normal precipitation west of the divide. Normal temperatures for this period in Montana are highs in the mid 60s to the upper 70s and lows in the mid 30s to the lower 50s. Recent moisture should improve crop conditions in the short run, but more will be needed for good crop development. Winter wheat condition improved from the previous week, but is still below last year and the five-year average. Both barley and spring wheat conditions are below last year and the five-year averages. Some concerns on the shortage of stockwater have been alleviated from the recent rainfall. Ranchers have already seen losses to pastures and hay fields from lack of earlier moisture and hot temperatures. The rain from the past week will hopefully help the growth of pastures. 6/2/08 Date: 5/28/08 Advertisement
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