The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

2016 MSU Extension Chouteau County Soil Moisture Survey

Spring soil moisture testing took place on March 22nd for locations north of the Missouri river and March 21st for locations south of the Missouri river. Eleven of twenty stubble locations (mostly in the northern part of Chouteau County) measured less than 3.9 inches of stored soil moisture (poor recropping potential). Three locations measured 4-4.9 inches of stored soil moisture (fair recropping potential). Sites with fair recropping potential were located in north central and southeast Chouteau County. Six stubble fields mostly in southern Chouteau County measured in the range of good to excellent recropping potential.

Fourteen out of 20 winter wheat fields measured over 7.7 inches of stored soil moisture. With favorable weather conditions, the winter wheat crop for these areas will require only two inches of growing season precipitation to yield a 42 bushel crop, respectively.

Soil moisture results are available at the Chouteau County Extension Office, or can be e-mailed upon request by contacting the office at 622-3751. Our office is located in the basement of the courthouse.

Montana State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Montana Counties Cooperating MSU Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action provider of educational outreach.