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Planting progress behind normalWyoming Welcome moisture arrived during the week ending April 27, and moisture supplies better than average, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, April 28, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Wyoming Field Office, April 28. A storm system passed through Wyoming last week bringing welcome moisture in the form of rain and snow. High temperatures ranged from the mid 50s to the low 80s. Low temperatures were mostly in the single digits to low 20s. Most stations received at least a trace of moisture last week. Accumulative precipitation remains well behind normal levels except in Saratoga. Two stations reported about half an inch of moisture. Topsoil moisture levels improved to 64 percent adequate or better, 2 points better than last week, but still 7 points below last year. Subsoil moisture levels are 47 percent adequate, compared to 44 percent a year ago and 35 percent normally. An average of 4.8 days were suitable for fieldwork during the past week. Small grain and row crop seeding continues to lag behind. Winter wheat crop condition held steady with 79 percent rated good. One percent of the winter wheat crop had jointed, 3 points behind average. Barley had been planted on 70 percent of the expected acreage, about 5 points behind both last year and the five-year average. Barley emergence, at 16 percent, is 27 points behind last year and 23 points behind average. Oat plantings were 44 percent complete, 1 point behind last year and 3 points behind average. Eight percent of the oat crop had emerged, 13 points behind last year and 9 points behind the five-year average. Sugarbeet planting made progress with 52 percent seeded by week's end, 17 points behind normal. Two percent of the sugar beets has emerged, same as last year, but 4 points behind normal. Spring wheat planting made progress with 21 percent complete, but it was still 26 points behind average. Only 3 percent of the corn was planted, 6 points behind both last year and the five-year average. Range and pasture conditions improved 1 point with 33 percent rated good and 4 percent excellent, compared with 28 percent good and zero excellent last year. Spring calving is running close to average pace with 85 percent on the ground. Calf losses were light to mostly normal with none reported as heavy. Eighty-one percent of the farm flock and 29 percent of the range flock had lambed. Seventy-five percent of the farm flock sheep and 53 percent of the range flock sheep had been shorn, about 10 points behind the five-year average. Lamb losses were mostly light to normal with only 5 percent reported as heavy. Stock water supplies were rated 74 percent adequate or better, 18 points above the five-year average when only 56 percent was adequate. Over three-fourths of the livestock were reported in good to excellent condition at this time. 5/5/08 Date: 4/30/08
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