Warm, dry and smoky weather prevailed throughout Montana much of the week ending Aug. 30, but a few areas received thunderstorms that produced decent moisture in some areas and damaging hail in others, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Montana Field Office, Aug. 31. Reporters commented that more precipitation will be needed in the coming weeks to ensure good winter wheat seeding conditions. Harvest of small grains continues with 93 percent of barley, 68 percent of durum wheat, 77 percent of oats, and 85 percent of spring wheat harvested this week. Pulse crops are also finishing up harvest weeks ahead of normal and lentil harvest is wrapping up with 91 percent harvested compared with a five-year average of 79 percent. Pasture and range conditions continued a seasonal decline from last week due to hot, dry weather with 21 percent rated good to excellent compared with 50 percent last year. Producers continue to move livestock off summer ranges ahead of normal with 17 percent of cattle and 17 percent of sheep moved compared with a five-year average of 8 percent and 10 percent respectively. Some reporters noted that livestock producers are shipping calves early this year due to drought. Source - http://www.hpj.com