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Ag stats: Wyoming crop progress and condition report – week ending May 8, 2022

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 The week brought above average temperatures to most of Wyoming, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Temperatures were highest in the northern portions of the State, while areas of the southeast experienced below average temperatures.

Rainfall totals varied, but in most portions of the State precipitation was below normal. In outlying areas of the northwest and southeast, however, averages were above normal. Isolated areas of central Wyoming benefitted the most with as much as 2.0 inches of rain and above.

According to the United States Drought Monitor for May 5, 2022, the amount of land rated as abnormally dry was 5.9 percent, unchanged from last week. Moderate drought was present across 38.4 percent of the State, an increase of 3.2 percentage points from 35.2 percent last week. Severe drought covered 47.6 percent of the State, compared to 40.6 percent last week. Extreme drought conditions improved, falling to 8.1 percent of the state compared to 18.3 percent last week.

Precipitation amounts varied in Big Horn County where northern portions of the County remained extremely dry. Only 0.40 inches of moisture were reportedly received in northern areas since the start of the year.

Reports from Goshen County indicated precipitation replenished soils though moisture was insufficient and too late for some farmers. High winds once again dried fields.

In Laramie County, rains revitalized struggling crops. Soil moisture levels held for a while until high winds returned and dried fields and ranges.

Comments from Lincoln County indicated cool and wet conditions, as subsoil remained cold, and lands were too wet for field activities. Grasses and alfalfa were growing, with concerns alfalfa might still be affected by frost.

In Niobrara County, crop and rangeland conditions improved from the snow and rain. Stock water supplies also benefitted from the moisture and a report indicated a high number of livestock were killed due to the snowstorm that occurred April 23, 2022.

Comments from Platte County indicated good moisture alleviated the drought that has lingered for over 10 months. Pastures were greening and winter wheat was growing well. Farmers were planting spring crops and were expected to tap into irrigation water soon.

In Weston County, forage was greening but short due to poor growing conditions.

Irrigation water supplies were rated 3 percent very poor, 28 percent poor, 52 percent fair, and 17 percent good, compared to 3 percent very poor, 31 percent poor, 43 percent fair, and 23 percent good last week.

Stock water supplies across Wyoming were rated 25 percent very short, 32 percent short, 42 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus, compared to 20 percent very short, 29 percent short, and 51 percent adequate last week.

Cattle death loss was rated as 10 percent heavy, 57 percent average, and 33 percent light.

Sheep death loss was rated as 4 percent heavy, 57 percent average, and 39 percent light.

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Barley 

    

Planted 

88 

83 

89 

89 

Emerged 

70 

55 

67 

61 

Corn 

    

Planted 

29 

27 

33 

Sugarbeets 

    

Planted 

60 

48 

71 

61 

Emerged 

19 

27 

20 

Winter wheat 

    

Jointed 

20 

12 

15 

22 

Booted 

-- 

-- 

NA 

Cattle and calves 

    

Cows calved 

89 

84 

87 

89 

Sheep and lambs 

    

Ewes lambed 

72 

68 

63 

69 

Sheep shorn 

78 

71 

77 

83 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork

44 

59 

54 

52 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

42 

51 

25 

Short 

25 

25 

28 

18 

Adequate 

33 

24 

45 

71 

Surplus 

-- 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

43 

52 

31 

10 

Short 

34 

34 

32 

19 

Adequate 

23 

14 

36 

67 

Surplus 

-- 

-- 

CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Alfalfa hay 

    

Very poor

NA 

NA 

Poor

11 

NA 

NA 

Fair 

43 

NA 

35 

NA 

Good 

42 

NA 

58 

NA 

Excellent 

NA 

NA 

Other hay 

    

Very poor 

NA 

NA 

Poor 

NA 

NA 

Fair 

55 

NA 

29 

NA 

Good 

39 

NA 

65 

NA 

Excellent 

-- 

NA 

NA 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

35 

39 

18 

Poor 

18 

19 

29 

12 

Fair 

25 

29 

31 

28 

Good 

21 

13 

21 

50 

Excellent 

-- 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

34 

43 

Fair 

45 

40 

71 

40 

Good 

13 

23 

46 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

17 

18 

27 

17 

Good 

79 

77 

70 

76 

Excellent