Wyoming

Below normal precipitation through April 15 was seen for nearly all of the state, and the mostly dry conditions caused moisture supplies to slip, according to the Wyoming Agricultural Statistics Service, April 18.

As of April 16, 42 percent of the state had adequate or surplus topsoil moisture, down 2 points, but still 7 points ahead of last year and even with the 2000-2004 average. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated adequate or surplus in 41 percent of the state, up 10 points from two weeks ago and 9 points above average. Stock water supplies were adequate or surplus in 46 percent of the state, down 7 points from last year and 15 points from the 2000-2004 average.

An average of 5.8 days were suitable for field work. Barley and oats planting continued ahead of average pace. Sugarbeet planting also jumped ahead of average. Barley planting, at 68 percent, was 6 points behind last year but 6 points ahead of average. Barley emergence was at 15 percent, 4 points behind average. The oats crop was 34 percent planted, down 10 points from last year but 10 points ahead of average. The oats crop was 7 percent emerged. Spring Wheat planting was at 21 percent, 30 points behind last year and 8 points behind the average pace. Sugarbeet planting was 44 percent complete, up 15 points from last year and 11 points ahead of average.

Winter Wheat condition slipped slightly, but conditions remained much better than last year. Forty-four percent of the crop was in good condition. Last year at this time, only 9 percent of the crop was in good condition. The five-year average is 32 percent good.

Range and pasture conditions were rated good or excellent in 16 percent of the state, unchanged, but down 5 points from last year and 3 points below the five-year average. Seventy-six percent of spring calves were born. Some western areas had problems from wet, cold conditions. Farm flock lambing and sheering were over 80 percent complete, a little ahead of average pace. Range sheep lambing and shearing were near average pace with range lambing nearing the one-quarter mark. Livestock condition was rated about two-thirds good and one- third fair. Calf losses were lighter than normal in 32 percent of the state, better than the five-year average of 28 percent. Lamb losses were also better than normal with 35 percent of the state reporting lighter than normal losses, compared to the five-year average of 21 percent.

Date: 4/21/05