USA, MT: Montana’s barley harvest almost completed

Harvest is well underway – and ahead of normal – for many crops across Montana, but reporters are noting there is a wide range of yields, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Montana field office.

In addition, heat has been a factor with temperatures in the north-eastern region ranging in the 90s for several days in a row.

In the Flathead Valley in north-western Montana, representatives from CHS are reporting that both winter wheat and peas are nearing harvest completion, with spring wheat about a quarter finished, according to CHS agronomist Clark Krantz.

“But the region has been very dry, unlike some other regions in the state,” Krantz notes.

“Since April 1, we’ve been lacking rain which has affected yields in areas of Flathead, Lincoln and Lake counties,” Krantz said, adding the rain has hit the Bitterroot Mountains and over toward Helena, but moisture is missing many of the fields in the northwest.

Some producers do have irrigation, and those yields are better, although there have been several high 90-degree days in a row that have stressed the crops.

Montana Grain Growers Association (MGGA) director Tryg Koch, a producer in Flathead County, reported yields vary from good to poor, depending on moisture received during the growing season.

Koch said they have been dry, which caused harvest to start very early in the region. Winter wheat yields have varied depending on moisture received and soil types.

In the south central region, Michelle Erickson-Jones, MGGA secretary and a producer, reported for northern Yellowstone, southern Golden Valley, and eastern Stillwater counties. Wheat and barley harvest is wrapping up in the area.

“It was an average wheat harvest with generally lower protein levels but good test weight,” Erickson-Jones said.

Robert Bold, MGGA director and a producer in Fergus County in central Montana, reported winter wheat harvest is getting close to being finished, with yields varied. Spring wheat and barley harvest has started as well.

Thunderstorms at the beginning of last week brought varied amounts of precipitation and hail to many parts of Montana before returning to hot, dry days for the remainder of the week, according to the NASS report.

Temperatures into the mid 80s, 90s, and even 100s were common throughout the state. According to NASS, the highest temperatures were at Alberton and Superior in northwest Montana at 100 degrees, and the low temperature was 34 degrees at Seeley Lake, also in the northwest.

The highest rainfall occurred at Broadus in southeast Montana with 1.49 inches of rain for the week. Most areas received a half-inch of rain or less, according to the report.

Topsoil moisture rated adequate and surplus is 43 percent compared with 53 percent last year and the five-year average of 50 percent. It is 51 percent short to very short.

Subsoil moisture was rated 49 percent adequate and surplus compared to 47 percent last year and the five-year average of 48 percent. It is 51 percent short to very short.

NASS reported 6.5 days were suitable for field work, the same as last year.

Harvested crops and percentage harvested: 48 percent of barley, 12 percent of durum wheat, 37 percent of oats, 29 percent of spring wheat and 84 percent of winter wheat harvested at this time.

Malting barley is 48 percent harvested, with 41 percent reported in good condition with 11 percent in excellent condition.

Spring wheat is 99 percent turning, with 34 percent in fair condition and 45 percent in good condition.

Winter wheat condition is 42 percent harvested while it is rated 35 percent good and 21 percent excellent, compared to the five-year average of 49 percent good. Only 11 percent is rated poor.

19 August, 2015