November 5, 2024

 

Carter County - Michael Hansen

Dusted 2000 acres of winter wheat and barely any has even sprouted. Seeded 1000 acres of grass alfalfa mix for the neighbors. Started weaning calves and preg checking cows. Getting cows home off the BLM. Hauled a bin of canola to elevator to get a bin empty for the feedlot. Tried something new this year, roasted the barley instead of grinding. That was an interesting process and the calves seem to really like the taste of it. Has been extremely dry all fall. Did a little bit of spraying on the chickpea ground fire next year with some residual chemicals as there is still barely any weeds growing. Put in a little water line as well as the wells...will probably be strained with the lack of groundwater.
Moisture conditions have been poor. We have received 4 tenths or precipitation since August. 

  

 

Cascade County - Steve Sheffels

Seeding finished up the end of September. We had some beautiful weather to spray every acre on the place. We got all that done without having to blow out the sprayer even once. Incredible fall. Things are starting to feel a bit parched. The winter wheat all came out of the ground well, but it could definitely use a drink. It looks like some precipitation in the forecast for tomorrow (11/5).
Moisture conditions have been good. We have not received any precipitation within the last month.

 

Chouteau County - Lochiel Edwards

Fall HRW seeding is done, with good stands and good upper-profile moisture. Northern Chouteau County does not have a full moisture profile, but it is better than the past 3 years. Winter wheat is healthy and still growing. There is no off-season at Edwards Farm. Fall projects are ongoing, and we are hauling grain, repairing equipment, with some construction and excavation thrown in.
Hoppers are done, sawfly tucked away in their homes for the winter, and Box Elder bugs trying to get into the house received a shot of Tempo. Stubble volunteer/cheat has been burned down, and no other weeds dare show their face. The stress of a very busy summer has faded, so I think we are ok, mentally.
Moisture conditions have been good. We have not received any precipitation within the last month.

 

Gallatin County - Dale Flikkema

We are planning to seed 400 acres for fall seeding. Hay is all baled. Grain getting to market. Winter wheat is all seeded.
Moisture conditions have been fair. We have received .5 inches of precipitation within the last month. 

 

 

 

Hill County - Trevor Wolery

.06 inches of moisture today (11/5) with wind along with .05 inches ten days ago has been our only moisture in the last month. Been moving some grain to town as well as just enjoying the nice fall weather. HRW has had great growing conditions and is ready for a snow blanket.
Moisuture conditions have been fair. We have received a total of .11 inches of precipitation within the last month. 

 

Fergus County - Boyd Heilig

We were able to get our normal amount of acres seeded this fall. Things look good going into winter. We were also able to get our fall spraying all taken care of and some other projects done as well.

 

Fergus County - Robert Bold

The 2025 winter wheat is off to a good start even though we finished seeding in early October.  A little later than I would like, but we waited for moisture. It is all 2 and 3 leaf stage with a very good root system. The 2024 wheat crop was just great, all things considered. We had a dry April and May. The rains that normally come the first half of June, showed up the last half of June.  We had a cool April, May and June. That is what made our wheat crop.  But the hay crop suffered because of the cool temperatures. As a side note, the birds had a not so good of a  hatch. Eggs got chilled. After the late June rains, not much rain to speak of until the last half of September. Very dry October. Submoisture in chem fallow, just excellent. Moisture in the stubble, much below average. May not be much of a recrop year come spring. But at least dry soil does not freeze deep which should be better moisture penetration. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Convention in December. The Montana Grain Grower Convention is getting to be quite the trade show. It is by far the best set up state convention, bar none.  See you all in December!!

 

Judith Basin County - Greg Mathews

Done seeding the last of September, then sprayed all of the stubble that greened up and then on to tearing up old hay ground. Some were seeding mid to late October. Calves in the area were heavier than normal in my area, Some averaging around 790 pounds. North and east were lighter than normal. Hay is slowly moving. Time to relax and start planning for next year. There has been plenty of days to work outside as there has been very little moisture in the area, I got 0.42 inches for the month of October. It was a bit late for the first hard frost to hit the area, last week of October. Already getting machinery repaired, replaced, and ready for next season. Already have some fertilizer bought and will lock in the rest soon. Still waiting for the Malt people to say if they are going to take some, all, or reject some and waiting for next years contract and price. Hope everybody has a safe and exciting month and all get some more moisture before the ground freezes.
Moisture conditions have been fair. 

 

Teton County - Levi Ostberg

Planning on seeding winter wheat this fall. Fall work is going good. Calves are all shipped. Cows are out in grain stubble and will be brought home in about 5 weeks to get ready for calving season.
Moisture conditions have been poor.

 

 

Teton County - Mitch Konen

Finished seeding Sept 26. The fallow ground looks decent. The continuous crop on terminated grass looks a little thin mostly due to lack of moisture. Both are relatively dry. The last moisture I have seen was Sept 18 and that was less than a tenth of moisture. Two weeks before that I did get from .3 - .5". If we are not in a drought, I don't know what one is.
Have been busy cleaning up machinery and nesting them in the shed for the winter. Selling and hauling some hay. Have hauled in some barley and wheat. Need to focus on getting the books updated but seems a lot of little things getting in the way. It has started to snow this morning (11/5), so may get some desk time in now.
Moisture conditions have been poor.