Wyoming experienced mixed precipitation totals and temperatures this week, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Most of Wyoming received a quarter inch or more of rainfall this week. Niobrara and Platte counties, however, reported localized areas received over an inch of rain. Counties along the northern border missed out on this week’s moisture, with rainfall totals barely measurable at 0.01 inch.

Temperatures varied throughout the State this week. Average low temperatures for counties in the northwestern corner were 2 to 4 degrees below average for this time of year, while average low temperatures for the remainder of the State reached 2 to 4 degrees above average. Daily high temperatures ranged from average to 2 degrees above average for this time of year.

Although much of the State received rainfall, the amounts were not substantial enough to relieve drought conditions. According to the United States Drought Monitor for September 2, 2021, the amount of land rated as abnormally dry was 3.8 percent, compared to 4.9 percent last week. Moderate drought was present across 35.5 percent of the State, a slight increase from 35.0 percent last week. Severe drought covered 33.6 percent of the State, roughly a 14.3 percent increase from 29.4 percent last week. Extreme drought conditions decreased from 30.5 percent last week to 26.9 percent of the State this week. Overall, 99.8 percent of the State is experiencing drought conditions, unchanged from last week. 

There were continued reports this week from Weston County of producers reducing herd sizes due to minimal pasture grass and increased hay prices. Pastures are depleted throughout the county and there has not been much late season grass growth.

There were similar comments in Goshen County of overgrazed pastures. Reports from Goshen County indicated the third cutting of hay is being grown mostly for tonnage, with quality reported as poor.

Platte county reported harvest of dry edible beans has started. Barley harvest is nearing completion as harvest was reported at 93 percent complete this week, compared to 90 percent this time last year. Corn harvested for silage was reported at 11 percent this week, compared to 12 percent this time last year.

Dry edible bean and sugarbeet harvest began this week as well, with harvest reported at 7 percent and 2 percent, respectively.

Stock water supplies across Wyoming were rated 33 percent very short, 41 percent short, 25 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus, compared to 32 percent very short, 43 percent short, 24 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus last week. Irrigation water supplies were rated 23 percent very poor, 24 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 24 percent good, and 8 percent excellent.