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Ag stats: Wyoming crop progress and condition report – week ending October 3, 2021

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Wyoming experienced a dry week with above average temperatures, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Rainfall totals were a quarter inch or less for most of the State.

Lincoln County reported that there was no moisture this week and Niobrara County reported exceptionally dry conditions. Natrona county, however, received over 3 inches of rainfall.

Along with a lack of moisture, the State experienced above average temperatures this week. Temperatures throughout the western and central portions of the State were 2 to 4 degrees above average for this time of year. Counties in the northeastern corner continue to be very warm, with daily temperatures 4 to 8 degrees above normal. Goshen County reported unseasonably warm temperatures.

With minimal moisture received, drought conditions continue to persist. According to the United States Drought Monitor for September 30, 2021, the amount of land rated as abnormally dry was 2.1 percent, compared to 3.2 percent last week. Moderate drought was present across 27.5 percent of the State, a decrease from 32.9 percent last week. Severe drought increased to cover 41.1 percent of the State, a 6.2 percent increase from 38.7 percent last week. Extreme drought conditions increased from 25.2 percent last week to 29.3 percent of the State this week. For the third week in a row, 100.0 percent of the State is experiencing drought conditions. 

Reports from Lincoln County indicate producers are beginning to make plans to sell down livestock herds. There are continuing comments of extremely high hay prices and limited availability.

Weston county producers are preparing cattle for the fall and are finishing up buying hay for the winter. There are reports that hay is being imported from up to 800 miles away. Harvest of corn for grain began this week, with harvest reported at 1 percent complete.

Sugarbeet harvest continues to progress ahead of last year, with harvest reported at 48 percent complete, compared to 26 percent complete this time last year.

Emergence of winter wheat is at 51 percent this week, compared to 54 percent emerged this time last year.

Stock water supplies across Wyoming were rated 37 percent very short, 49 percent short, and 14 percent adequate, compared to 34 percent very short, 54 percent short, and 12 percent adequate last week.

Irrigation water supplies were rated 20 percent very poor, 42 percent poor, 16 percent fair, and 22 percent good.

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Alfalfa 

    

3rd cutting harvested 

70 

63 

75 

72 

Corn 

    

Dented 

97 

89 

98 

96 

Mature 

42 

34 

82 

63 

Harvested for grain 

-- 

13 

Harvested for silage 

89 

75 

93 

83 

Dry edible beans 

    

Cut 

98 

74 

96 

89 

Harvested 

84 

55 

86 

74 

Sugarbeets 

    

Harvested 

48 

34 

26 

19 

Winter Wheat 

    

Planted 

86 

63 

89 

94 

Emerged 

51 

27 

54 

59 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

7.0 

7.0 

7.0 

6.1 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

46 

43 

39 

19 

Short 

44 

45 

41 

35 

Adequate 

10 

12 

20 

42 

Surplus 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

49 

47 

44 

22 

Short 

38 

37 

40 

37 

Adequate 

13 

16 

16 

39 

Surplus 

-- 

-- 

-- 

CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION 

Commodity 

Current week 

Previous week 

Previous year 

5-year average 

 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

Corn 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

37 

18 

Good 

88 

88 

56 

78 

Excellent 

-- 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

41 

32 

40 

15 

Poor 

33 

36 

30 

15 

Fair 

21 

25 

26 

36 

Good 

32 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

27 

27 

11 

Good 

62 

62 

98 

86 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

33 

39 

20 

13 

Good 

58 

54 

72 

81 

Excellent 

--