|
|
Soil moisture continues above normalWyoming During the week ending April 6, oat seeding was behind average pace, but calving and lambing are going well, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Wyoming Field Office, April 7. Most of the state experienced below normal temperatures last week as a cool front moved through and dropped temperatures. The cool front brought some precipitation to a few areas of the state although the amounts were all less than one inch. High temperatures were mostly in the low 40s to mid 60s. Low temperatures were mostly in the teens. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 58 percent adequate or better, 19 points below last year, but 5 points above the five year average. Irrigation water prospects were reported as 78 percent adequate or better, 24 points better than last year. An average of 4.0 days were suitable for fieldwork during the past week. Sugarbeets was just ahead of the last year with 2 percent seeded. Only 3 percent of the intended oat crop has been seeded, 7 points behind average. Historically, producers start planting oats during the last week in March but weather conditions have held up progress. Barley had been planted on 43 percent of the expected acreage and 1 percent had emerged, slightly behind normal. Seeding of corn and spring wheat have not gotten underway. The winter wheat crop condition held steady with 76 percent rated good and none excellent. Pasture and range were rated 36 percent in good or better condition and only 30 percent of the ranges and pastures were rated in poor or very poor condition. Spring grazing prospects were rated 50 percent good or excellent. Spring calving is running at average pace with 62 percent on the ground. Calf losses were light to mostly normal. Sixty-one percent of the Farm flock and 7 percent of the range flock had lambed, slightly behind average. Fifty-two percent of the farm flock sheep and 17 percent of the range flock sheep had been shorn. Lamb losses were mostly light to normal with only 5 percent reported as heavy. 4/14/08 Date: 4/9/08
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2012. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
|
