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Person standing in a wheat field using a tablet device with agriculture icons imposed

Wyoming crop progress and condition report – week ending May 15, 2022

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Temperatures were below normal for the majority of Wyoming for the week ending May 15, 2022, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

In some areas of the northwest, temperatures ran as much as 8.0 degrees below normal. In parts of the east, however, temperatures were above normal.

Once again, most areas received below normal amounts of precipitation, though remote areas of the eastern part of the State received 1.5 inches of moisture, while remote areas of the northwest received 1.1 inches of moisture.

According to the United States Drought Monitor for May 12, 2022, the amount of land rated as abnormally dry was 7.2 percent, up from 5.9 percent last week. Moderate drought was found in 41.5 percent of the state compared to 38.4 percent last week. Severe drought fell slightly to 45.6 percent compared to 47.6 percent last week. Extreme drought fell to 5.7 percent compared to 8.1 percent the previous week.

A report from Big Horn County indicated that much needed rain was received, though the north end of the county was still extremely dry.

Pastures improved with the moisture received in Goshen County, though resulting field conditions delayed corn planting.

The spring warming trend continued in Lincoln County and irrigation water was being regulated.

Emerging crops and pastures benefitted from the moisture received in Platte County, though southern portions of the county remained dry. Farmers hoped for ongoing weekly rains to keep pastures in condition for grazing.

Barley planting was 93 percent complete, compared to 88 percent last week.

Sugarbeet planting was 88 percent complete, compared to 60 percent last week.

Corn planting was reportedly 34 percent complete, compared to 43 percent planted this time last year.

Irrigation water supplies were rated 23 percent poor, 57 percent fair, and 20 percent good, compared to 3 percent very poor, 28 percent poor, 52 percent fair, and 17 percent good last week.

Stock water supplies across Wyoming were rated 21 percent very short, 27 percent short, 51 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus, compared to 25 percent very short, 32 percent short, 42 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus last week.

Cattle death loss was rated as 10 percent heavy, 51 percent average, and 39 percent light.

Sheep death loss was rated as 8 percent heavy, 62 percent average, and 30 percent light.

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Barley 

    

Planted 

93 

88 

94 

NA 

Emerged 

85 

70 

79 

72 

Corn 

    

Planted 

34 

29 

43 

53 

Emerged 

NA 

11 

17 

Dry edible beans 

    

Planted 

-- 

15 

Sugarbeets 

    

Planted 

88 

60 

89 

80 

Emerged 

40 

19 

47 

36 

Winter wheat 

    

Jointed 

39 

20 

18 

37 

Booted 

Cattle and calves 

    

Cows calved 

92 

89 

91 

93 

Sheep and lambs 

    

Ewes lambed 

77 

72 

69 

76 

Sheep shorn 

86 

78 

84 

90 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork

5.8 

4.4 

5.9 

5.1 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

34 

42 

17 

Short 

24 

25 

30 

20 

Adequate 

42 

33 

53 

69 

Surplus 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

34 

43 

25 

Short 

34 

34 

32 

22 

Adequate 

32 

23 

43 

66 

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 

Poor 

11 

NA 

Fair 

39 

43 

35 

NA 

Good 

51 

42 

49 

NA 

Excellent 

NA 

Barley 

    

Very poor 

-- 

NA 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

NA 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

11 

NA 

21 

13 

Good 

89 

NA 

79 

81 

Excellent 

-- 

NA 

-- 

Other hay 

    

Very poor 

-- 

NA 

Poor 

NA 

Fair 

46 

55 

35 

NA 

Good 

48 

39 

56 

NA 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

NA 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

33 

35 

16 

Poor 

16 

18 

29 

10 

Fair 

24 

25 

34 

27 

Good 

25 

21 

21 

54 

Excellent 

-- 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

29 

34 

Fair 

44 

45 

77 

41 

Good 

20 

13 

18 

44 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

17 

28 

15 

Good 

88 

79 

69 

79 

Excellent