Crop Progress Report Summaries:
Montana
Measurable precipitation was widely scattered across Montana for the week ending April 5, 2015, and initially warm temperatures turned wintery as the week drew to a close. Reporters across the State noted that, while winter wheat and pastures were greening, moisture was needed soon to avoid rapid decline in their conditions. Producers in many areas of the State were able to begin spring fieldwork and seeding with 4.6 days suitable for fieldwork compared with 0.9 days the previous year, but some areas experienced wind damage later in the week. Producers began seeding barley and spring wheat with 4 percent of barley and 1 percent of spring wheat seeded by the week’s end. Livestock continued to overwinter well and producers have enjoyed a largely mild birthing season though high winds and the return of freezing nights at the end of this week stressed some of the young animals.
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Wyoming
Wyoming had above normal temperatures for the week. The percent of median snow water equivalent for April 6th for Wyoming was 62 percent (from the NRCS Snotel Report) compared to 139 percent at this time last year. Our Lincoln County reporter indicated they are still short on moisture. A lot of hay is left over from last year but some of the hay supply was damaged by late summer and early fall rainfall. Most farmers are doing field preparation for the coming season. Converse County reports very dry conditions persisting in early spring. Days suitable for fieldwork was rated at 6.5. Cattle and calf death loss was rated as 42 percent average and 58 percent light. Sheep and lamb death loss was rated as 44 percent average and 56 percent light. Stock water supplies were rated 11 percent short and 89 percent adequate. Hay and roughage supplies were rated 81 percent adequate and 19 percent surplus.
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North Dakota:
For the week ending April 5, 2015, above normal temperatures along with drier conditions were experienced statewide, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. These conditions allowed producers to start some seeding of small grains, primarily in the south central and southeastern parts of the state. Wet snow fell in western areas of North Dakota, which could delay fieldwork activities. However, the moisture was needed as dry conditions were experienced over much of the winter. Reports indicated that, on average, producers intended to begin fieldwork by April 15. There were 2.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 4 percent very short, 28 short, 64 adequate, and 4 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 2 percent very short, 22 short, 72 adequate, and 4 surplus. Field Crops Report: Winter wheat condition rated 1 percent very poor, 11 poor, 35 fair, 49 good, and 4 excellent. Livestock Report: Cattle and calf conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 11 fair, 73 good, and 15 excellent. Calving was 44 percent complete. Cattle and calf death loss rated 0 percent heavy, 44 average, and 56 light. Sheep and lamb conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 15 fair, 71 good, and 13 excellent. Lambing was 69 percent complete. Shearing was 66 percent complete. Sheep and lamb death loss rated 0 percent heavy, 55 average, and 45 light.
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South Dakota:
For the week ending April 5, 2015, temperatures were six to ten degrees above normal in most of the state, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The state experienced dry conditions throughout the week. Statewide, there were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 24 percent very short, 43 short, 32 adequate, and 1 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 16 percent very short, 46 short, 38 adequate, and 0 surplus. Field Crops Report: Winter wheat condition rated 5 percent very poor, 22 poor, 44 fair, 29 good, and 0 excellent. Oats planted rated 10 percent planted, ahead of 0 last year, but equal to the five-year average. Barley planted rated 7 percent, ahead of 0 last year, and 5 average. Spring wheat planted rated 17 percent, ahead of 5 last year, and 11 average. Livestock Report: Cattle and calf conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 0 poor, 10 fair, 77 good, and 13 excellent. Calving progress rated 46 percent complete. Cattle and calf death loss rated 0 percent heavy, 56 average, and 44 light. Sheep and lamb conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 0 poor, 14 fair, 73 good, and 13 excellent. Lambing progress rated 75 percent. Sheep and lamb death loss rated 0 percent heavy, 51 average, and 49 light. Sheep and lambs shorn was 73 percent complete.
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Source: USDA
