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Ag stats: December 2021 Wyoming crop progress and condition report

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December brought no relief to Wyoming’s drought conditions. Precipitation for December was scarce, with monthly precipitation totals less than 3 inches for most of the State. Temperatures for the month of December were 2 to 6 degrees above average.

According to the United States Drought Monitor for December 30, 2021, the amount of land rated as abnormally dry was 3.3 percent, compared to 7.2 percent on November 25. Moderate drought was present across 35.4 percent of the State, an increase from 28.5 percent on November 25. Severe drought covered 47.1 percent of the State, compared to 53.1 percent on November 25. Extreme drought conditions covered 14.2 percent of the State, an increase of 3 percentage points from 11.2 percent on November 25.

Reporters in Big Horn County indicated persisting drought conditions, with little moisture. Comments in Lincoln County, however, indicated significant snowfall during December and snowpack is measuring above average in most areas.

Topsoil moisture levels were reported as 72 percent short to very short, compared with 57 percent on November 28.

Hay and roughage supplies for Wyoming were rated 36 percent very short, 34 percent short, and 30 percent adequate, compared to 15 percent very short, 47 percent short, and 38 percent adequate on November 28.

Stock water supplies across Wyoming were rated 35 percent very short, 21 percent short, and 44 percent adequate, compared to 17 percent very short, 40 percent short, and 43 percent adequate on November 28.

SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current report

Previous report

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Topsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

48 

24 

35 

NA 

Short 

24 

33 

44 

NA 

Adequate 

28 

43 

21 

NA 

Surplus 

-- 

-- 

-- 

NA 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

52 

27 

49 

NA 

Short 

25 

45 

33 

NA 

Adequate 

23 

28 

18 

NA 

Surplus 

-- 

-- 

-- 

NA 

CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION

Commodity

Current report

Previous report

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

38 

35 

23 

NA 

Poor. 

14 

19 

24 

NA 

Fair 

32 

31 

41 

NA 

Good 

16 

15 

12 

NA 

Excellent. 

-- 

-- 

-- 

NA 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

NA 

Poor. 

33 

20 

NA 

Fair 

42 

49 

71 

NA 

Good 

16 

21 

10 

NA 

Excellent. 

-- 

NA 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

NA 

Poor. 

-- 

NA 

Fair 

10 

32 

28 

NA 

Good 

90 

64 

68 

NA 

Excellent. 

-- 

NA