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Range, pasture conditions look grim
Wyoming Spring weather arrived with very little precipitation across the state during the week ending March 18, and temperatures ranged widely with high temperatures mostly in the mid 50s to upper 70s and lows in the teens to lower 20s, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, March 19. Only widely scattered precipitation fell across the state with amounts mostly below normal. Topsoil moisture supplies held steady with 36 percent rated adequate, unchanged from the end of February. As of March 18, subsoil moisture was rated adequate or better in only 17 percent of the state. Snow cover was virtually nonexistent except for Lincoln and Uinta counties where they averaged 3.0 inches. The latest Snow Precipitation Update reported the SWE (snow water equivalent) below average across all basins in Wyoming. Averages ranged from 64 percent of normal in the Wind River Basin to 81 percent of normal in the Upper North Platte River Basin. Condition of winter wheat deteriorated from the end of February with only 27 percent rated in good condition. Most of the crop remained in fair condition. Wind damage to winter wheat was mostly nonexistent to light for 91 percent of the state, down 1 point from last month. Freeze damage to winter wheat was rare and what occurred was mostly light. There were some reports of moderate freeze and wind damage in the southeastern counties. Wet field conditions have held up planting progress in barley growing areas. Only 6 percent of the barley has been seeded, behind both last year and the average pace. Spring calving moved at an average pace with 35 percent on the ground. Farm flock lambing and shearing were falling behind with both at 40 percent complete compared to the averages of 42 and 45 percent, respectively. Livestock were in fair to mostly good condition. Calf and lamb losses were light to normal with a few heavy losses reported in Campbell and Natrona counties. Stock water supplies fell slightly and were still only 51 percent adequate or better across the state, compared with 53 percent at the end of February. Range and pasture conditions caused much anxiety among producers statewide. Two-thirds were in very poor to poor condition while only 15 percent of the ranges and pastures were rated in good condition. Additional moisture is needed to alleviate these severe conditions. B 3 3/26/07 3 Star CO Date: 3/21/07
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