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Sugar beet harvest nears halfway mark
Wyoming
Temperatures averaged above normal in most areas, during the week ending Oct. 17, and although precipitation was widespread, moisture supplies remained virtually unchanged, according to the Wyoming Agricultural Statistics Service, Oct. 18.
As of Oct. 17, 40 percent of the state had adequate topsoil moisture. This is still above the 5-year (1999-2003) average of 32 percent adequate for this date and higher than last year when only 21 percent of the state had adequate topsoil moisture. Subsoil moisture supplies remained better than last year with 26 percent of the state rated adequate, compared with 15 percent a year ago and the average of 23 percent.
An average of 6.1 days were suitable for field work. Ninety-two percent of the winter Wheat crop had emerged, slightly behind last year's 98 percent and the average of 97 percent. The condition of the winter Wheat crop remained unchanged with 70 percent in good to excellent condition and the remainder rated fair.
Corn grain harvest began in a few areas but overall progress, at 11 percent combined, was about 10 days behind average. Ninety-six percent of the corn crop was in or through the dent stage, and 59 percent was mature. Corn silage harvesting was 97 percent complete at week's end. Corn condition improved slightly from mid-October to 74 percent in good condition. Dry bean producers had windrowed 96 percent of the acreage and 76 percent had been combined, behind the average of 94 percent.
Sugar beet harvest moved along well but remained behind last year and the average. About 46 percent of the crop had been harvested at week's end, compared with 60 percent last year and the average of 58 percent. The condition of the sugar beet crop remained virtually unchanged with most in good condition.
The third cutting of alfalfa was 65 percent complete, with acreage still to be cut in several areas if the weather holds.
Range and pasture conditions declined slightly. Nineteen percent was rated good or excellent, near last year but slightly below the average of 26 percent. Stock water supplies remained virtually unchanged from two weeks ago with 40 percent of the state reporting adequate supplies. Last year on this date 36 percent was adequate.
Date: 10/20/04
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