Portions of Wyoming received precipitation for the week ending April 24, 2022, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Areas of the west and south-east received little to no precipitation, though isolated areas of north-eastern Wyoming received levels approaching 2 inches.

Temperatures ran above average in the southern portions of the state while in northern areas temperatures were below average.

According to the United States Drought Monitor for April 21, 2022, the amount of land rated as abnormally dry was 2.3 percent, compared to 2.4 percent last week. Moderate drought was found in 34.1 percent of the state, compared to 37.7 percent last week. Severe drought increased to 43.0 percent, up from 39.3 percent last week. Extreme drought was unchanged from the previous week at 20.6 percent.

Laramie County had a week with wind and zero moisture. The wind further evaporated soil moisture and inhibited grasses and crop growth.

In Crook County, some areas received rain and snow, but high winds also depleted soil moisture.

Precipitation received in Big Horn County was not enough to benefit farmers and ranchers.

In Lincoln County, the moisture situation was improving with higher mountain snow-pack levels. More snowpack was still needed, however, to fill reservoirs. Lower elevations were also receiving precipitation, but the amounts were not substantial. Producers were working in fields as conditions allowed.

Wheat fields were turning green in Weston County until high winds decreased moisture levels in topsoil and turned fields brown. A thunderstorm late in the week brought rain and hail. Snow and drifting snow followed, and some livestock was lost due to the bad weather.

Barley planted was 79 percent complete, compared to 69 percent last week. Barley emerged stood at 43 percent, up from 27 percent last week.

Sugarbeets planted increased to 37 percent complete, compared to 10 percent last week.

Hay and roughage supplies were 25 percent very short, 48 percent short, and 27 percent adequate, compared to 16 percent very short, 51 percent short, 31 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus last week.

Stock water supplies were 16 percent very short, 24 percent short, and 60 percent adequate, compared to 10 percent very short, 22 percent short, 65 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus last week.

Irrigation water supplies were rated 1 percent very poor, 28 percent poor, 55 percent fair, and 16 percent good, compared to 1 percent very poor, 37 percent poor, 46 percent fair, and 16 percent good last week.

Cattle death loss was 2 percent heavy, 59 percent average, and 39 percent light.

Sheep death loss was 1 percent heavy, 66 percent average, and 33 percent light.