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Ag stats: February 2022 Wyoming crop progress and condition report

© iStock - William_Potter

Note: The next monthly report will be released during the week of March 28. Weekly reports resume during the week of April 4.

Most areas of the state experienced above average temperatures in February, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Snow totals were slightly above average in isolated areas, but for the most part, accumulated moisture ran below the norm. Lower than average snowpack totals caused concern for farmers in Lincoln County. In Laramie County snow fall was below average, followed by drying winds.

Dryness in Sheridan County continued to impact ranges and livestock. Good forage was lacking. In Weston County dryness also persisted.

Water reserves remained low, and ranchers provided supplemental feed to livestock at above average rates. Some operations were selling yearling livestock early. Goshen County also reported dry and windy weather.

Platte County received a few snowstorms, but accumulations were below average which did little to improve ground moisture levels.

According to the United States Drought Monitor released on February 17, 2022, the amount of land rated as abnormally dry was 2.4 percent, down from 2.7 percent on January 18. Moderate drought was present across 30.8 percent of the State, a decrease from 31.5 percent last month. Severe drought covered 55.7 percent of the State, compared with 61.1 percent last month, and extreme drought conditions covered 11.1 percent of the State, up from 4.6 percent last month.

Hay and roughage supplies for Wyoming were rated 29 percent very short, 28 percent short, and 43 percent adequate, compared with 13 percent very short, 42 percent short, 44 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus last month.

Stock water supplies across Wyoming were rated 10 percent very short, 36 percent short, 53 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus, compared with 11 percent very short, 28 percent short, 60 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus last month.

LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current report

Previous report

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Cattle and calves 

    

Cows calved 

NA 

Sheep and lambs 

    

Ewes lambed 

NA 

Sheep shorn 

NA 

NA 

SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current report

Previous report

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Topsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

42 

23 

48 

NA 

Short 

30 

37 

39 

NA 

Adequate 

28 

39 

13 

NA 

Surplus 

-- 

-- 

NA 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

42 

24 

45 

NA 

Short 

38 

48 

39 

NA 

Adequate 

20 

27 

16 

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 

28 

25 

29 

NA 

Poor 

28 

24 

30 

NA 

Fair 

28 

31 

31 

NA 

Good 

16 

19 

10 

NA 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

NA 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

NA 

Poor 

29 

26 

16 

NA 

Fair 

52 

49 

76 

NA 

Good 

12 

17 

NA 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

NA 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

NA 

Poor 

NA 

Fair 

11 

13 

32 

NA 

Good 

86 

81 

59 

NA 

Excellent 

NA