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Winter wheat protected by snow cover
Montana Most of Montana received above normal moisture for the month ending Dec. 31, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Montana Field Office, Jan. 4. West Glacier received the most monthly accumulated precipitation with 3.73 inches. Temperatures during the month of December were below normal. Highs were mostly in the 40s and 50s, and lows ranged from negative 40 to negative teens. Hardin had the high temperature of 61 degrees, and Jordan had the low temperature of minus 40 degrees. Topsoil moisture adequate and surplus, at 64 percent, is above last month's 49 percent, but below last year's 82 percent. Subsoil moisture adequate and surplus is 56 percent, above last month's 47 percent, but below last year's 66 percent. The weather outlook for Jan. 11 to 17 is for near normal temperatures and near normal precipitation both east and west of the continental divide. Normal temperatures for this period in Montana are highs in the upper teens to the lower 30s and lows ranging from 0 degrees to the mid teens. Protectiveness of snow cover for winter wheat is mostly fair to good. Winter wheat had minor damage from winds as well as from freeze and drought. Winter wheat condition good to excellent is 34 percent, compared to last month's 48 percent, and the previous year's 75 percent. Livestock are receiving supplemental feed due to the cold weather and heavy snowfall. Snowfall has 31 percent of pastures closed for grazing compared to 33 percent the previous year. Range and pasture feed conditions good to excellent is 16 percent, compared to last month's 14 percent and the previous year's 13 percent.
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