Wyoming

During the week ending Aug. 21, most areas received good precipitation, according to the Wyoming Agricultural Statistics Service, Aug. 22.

As of Aug. 21, 43 percent of the state had adequate topsoil moisture, 2 points above last week. Supplies were well ahead of the five-year average of 14 percent. Subsoil moisture was adequate in 35 percent of the state, 14 points above of last year and 22 points above average. Stock water supplies were adequate in 67 percent of the state, 37 points better than last year and the five-year average.

With precipitation across most of the state, an average of 5.9 days were suitable for field work. Eighty-five percent of the barley had matured, behind last year by 4 points. Barley harvest was 72 percent complete, continuing ahead of last year and average. The condition of oats improved slightly during the last week. Oats were mature in 75 percent of the state, 10 points ahead of last year and 1 point ahead of the average. Oat harvest was 63 percent complete, ahead of last year by 10 points and ahead of the average by 9 points. Spring Wheat was 98 percent mature, 14 points higher than the average. Spring Wheat harvest was 83 percent complete, 19 points ahead of last year and 20 points ahead of the average. Winter Wheat planting began and was 7 percent complete.

Sugarbeets remained in mostly good condition, with 85 percent rated good or excellent. Corn condition continued to improve with 17 percent rated excellent and 66 percent good. Corn had reached milk stage in 72 percent of the crop, ahead of last year by 11 points and even with the average. Forty-three percent of the corn had reached the dough stage, 28 points ahead of last year and 6 points ahead of average. Dry bean leaves turned color in 18 percent of the crop, well behind last year and average. The second cutting of alfalfa was nearly two-thirds complete, ahead of last year by 4 points but 9 points behind the average. All other hay cutting was at 87 percent complete, near average pace.

Showers around the state kept range and pasture conditions steady. At week's end, 51 percent was good to excellent, 38 points ahead of last year and 41 points ahead of average.

Date: 8/25/05