However, producers note that rain is needed to activate fertilizer and chemicals. Although just beginning, soybean planting is also far ahead of last year and the 5-year normal. With the 2000 calving and lambing season winding down, it has been noted that the mild winter weather has resulted in average to below average losses this year. However, the potential for livestock water shortages in Montana have producers in that portion of the plains concerned. Perhaps of greatest long- term concern is the deterioration of the region's pasture and range.
Moisture is needed to stimulate pasture and range growth.
Runoff from that snowpack will begin entering the system in the next few weeks and will continue into June and early July. System storage at the end of April totaled 57.2 MAF, compared to 60.3 MAF last year at this time. The amount of water stored in the reservoirs is about 1.5 MAF lower than normal for this this time of year. Dry downstream conditions prompted higher releases to meet navigation targets. Based on the most likely inflow forecast, hydropower production for 2000 should be 9.7 billion kWh, average is 10.2 billion.