December 20, 2024

Carter County - Michael Hansen

Seeded some willow creek and winter wheat. Hauled off the canola and working on the durum now. Finally did get some snow and thought it was going to turn into winter but then it rained and melted most of it. Now it looks like it is going to warm up into the forties.
Moisture conditions have been poor. Some snow and some rain; gauge is down but would guess maybe a tenth. 

  

 

Fergus County - Robert Bold

Not much going on. Hauling contracted grain. My canary in the cold mine for wheat prices is not doing well...at all. Now the election is over, the TV stations now know what a drought is like. It looks like the 5 year "Farm Bill" passed 7 years ago is here for another year. A lot has changed since it was passed. Now there is talk of tariffs. Tariffs are like an employer and employee. The employee would like higher wages, the employer says things are just fine. Until there is some form of "hurt" for the employer--ie a strike or threat thereof.  Negotiations begin. Just short of 50 trade deals were made and/or updated under the threat of tariffs. Only one major tariff was used. It is still left in place years later. As far as wheat prices, the world over all had a good crop. It appears that unless there is some weather "hurt" to production or political "hurt" somewhere in the world; us wheaties are going to have to be patient. Probably until spring for some more favorable prices. Of course those good pre harvest pricing opportunities seem to go away with the May 10th USDA Crop Report.  The MGGA Convention was a good one. The trade show is unlike any other state convention. Was good to see you all there. As a group our combined voices are heard. We need to be heard for the writing of the next Farm Bill.
Moisture conditions have been fair. We received 2 inches of snow within the last month. 

 

Hill County - Trevor Wolery

Winter has been honestly mild here in the suburbs of Goldstone MT. Recieved 5” of snow a few weeks ago and a couple skiffs here and there since. Moisture conditions have been fair. Received .21" of precipitation in Dec and .28" in November. Stubble is not full of snow at this moment but still have some cover on the winter wheat. Only a couple of days of below zero weather and not much wind either.
Shop projects, honey do’s and etc has been the goal lately and right on time with the 2 year old honey do list. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a healthy new year!

 

 

Judith Basin Cointy - Greg Mathews

Done seeding. Only got 0.25 inches for the month of November and 0.10 inches so far in December. It has been an open winter so far with little to hardly any moisture. Not many feeding hay but some have started. Not much hay moving and some are hauling grain to the elevator. Everything else is at a stand still. Happy Holidays to all.

Teton County - Levi Ostberg

Seeded winter wheat is all done. Off-season is open, warm fall/winter has allowed a lot of work to be done, but it is definitely hurting the crops. 
Moisture conditions have been poor. Have received traces of precipitation here and there.