Temperatures were once again below normal for the majority of Wyoming for the week ending May 22, 2022, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Temperatures ran as much as 5.0 degrees below normal in some areas. Precipitation was also below normal for most of the State. Only isolated areas of the northwest received moisture levels that were above average.

According to the United States Drought Monitor for May 19, 2022, the amount of land rated as abnormally dry was 7.4 percent, comparted to 7.2 percent last week. Moderate drought was found in 45.5 percent of the state, up from 41.5 percent last week. Severe drought dropped slightly to 41.4 percent compared to 45.6 percent last week. Extreme drought remained unchanged at 5.7 percent.

Moisture was received in parts of Big Horn County, but drought conditions were still present.

Corn planting was well underway in Goshen County and storms were gradually restoring soil moisture.

Heavy snow was received in Laramie County and farmers were waiting to see if wheat was damaged by the freezing temperatures.

The difficult year for agriculture continued in Lincoln County as rain, snow, and hail were all received last week. Plant growth was hindered by the lower temperatures, and sheep producers were finding it difficult to sell wool.

Statewide, barley planting was 94 percent complete, compared to 93 percent last week. Sugarbeet planting was 98 percent complete, compared to 88 percent last week. Corn planting jumped to 63 percent complete, compared to 34 percent last week.

Irrigation water supplies were rated 19 percent poor, 64 percent fair, 16 percent good, and 1 percent excellent, compared to 23 percent poor, 57 percent fair, and 20 percent good last week.

Stock water supplies across Wyoming were rated 12 percent very short, 24 percent short, 60 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus, compared to 21 percent very short, 27 percent short, 51 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus last week.