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Hay harvest ahead of normal
Wyoming Temperatures continued to climb during the week ending July 15, and the dry conditions brought an increased fire danger, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Wyoming Field Office, July 16. Only a few spotty showers were reported across the state last week. It was not enough moisture to offset the excessive heat and winds that were drying fields and pastures. Danger of fire was extreme across much of the state. The temperature averages ranged from 0.7 degrees to 8.7 degrees above normal. High temperatures were mostly in the 90s and low 100s. Low temperatures were mostly in the 50s. Topsoil moisture levels again dropped 5 points from the adequate category to 32 percent adequate or better. There were 6.9 days suitable for field work. Crop conditions were stable to slightly below last week. Harvest was underway for oats while winter wheat harvest was 33 percent complete. Almost all of the winter wheat had turned color and 80 percent of the crop was mature. Barley and spring wheat had completed the boot stage but both were slightly behind normal progress with heading at 80 and 65 percent, respectively. Thirty-five percent of the spring wheat had turned color and 9 percent was mature. Half of the barley crop had turned color and 17 percent had matured. Oat progress was at or ahead of normal for this time of year with 88 percent of the oats in the boot stage. Almost three-fourths of the crop had headed and 39 percent had turned color. Eighteen percent of the oats were mature. corn had an average height of 45 inches, 8 inches taller than normal. Four percent had tasseled. Thirty-nine percent of the dry beans were in bloom and 7 percent were setting pods. Pasture and range conditions continue to decrease but most are still being reported in fair or good condition. The dry conditions were causing hay to be harvested ahead of schedule. The first cutting of alfalfa was nearing completion while the second cutting was getting underway at 6 percent. Almost half of the other hay was harvested, 9 points ahead of normal. Livestock conditions were mostly good despite the warmer than normal temperatures. Date: 7/18/07
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