Life in Montana lately has been cold. The recent snow has been very welcomed by producers and bison alike.
According to National Agricultural Statistics Service Montana field office: A cold front impacted Montana this week, bringing below average temperatures and scattered snow showers, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. Precipitation totals ranged from a quarter inch to an inch and a half for most the State and the majority of the State currently has 4 to 8 inches of
accumulated snow. Valley County reported receiving 8 inches of snow and Golden Valley and Musselshell Counties reported 8 to 10
inches of snow. Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, and Judith Basin Counties reported snow showers and cold temperatures. Temperatures
dipped significantly this week, with temperatures falling below 0 degrees in some areas. Average daily low temperatures ranged from
10 degrees above freezing in the southern half of the state to 5 degrees below freezing in the northern half of the State. Average daily
high temperatures ranged from the mid-teens to mid-twenties this week. According to the United States Drought Monitor published on
November 10, 2022, the amount of land rated as abnormally dry was 22.8 percent, compared to 15.3 percent last week. Moderate
drought was present across 24.8 percent of the State, a decrease from 32.3 percent last week. Severe drought conditions and extreme
drought conditions remained unchanged this week at 26.4 percent and 15.6 percent, respectively. Overall, 89.6 percent of the State
continues to experience drought conditions. Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) totals for all of the State’s basins are now above average,
ranging from 116 percent of normal in the Upper Yellowstone Basin to 194 percent of normal in the Bitterroot Basin. Reports from
Ravalli County indicate a significant amount of hay for sale in the county. Producers in Mineral, Missoula, and Ravalli Counties are
beginning to cut back cattle numbers. Judith Basin County also reported that producers are thinning herds. The colder temperatures
this week forced producers to supplement grazing with hay, lowering hay that is available for the winter. Powder River County
reported weaning is underway. Sugarbeet harvest is nearing completion ahead of last year, with harvest reported at 97 percent
complete this week, compared to 83 percent complete this time last year. Movement of cattle and sheep from summer pasture is
behind last year. This week an estimated 64 percent of cattle and calves and 70 percent of sheep and lambs have been moved from
pasture, compared to 79 percent moved this time last year for cattle and calves and 81 percent moved for sheep and lambs.
Full report Below: