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Open winter helps stretch hay suppliesWyoming Above normal temperatures and precipitation covered Wyoming during December 2012, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Wyoming Field Office. December's high temperatures ranged from 36 degrees at Lake Yellowstone to 70 degrees in Torrington. Low temperatures ranged from 18 degrees below zero at Lake Yellowstone to 1 degree in Casper. Lincoln County reported weather is bitter cold with cattle producers feeding the full amount of hay. In Uinta County, snow accumulations are helping with the dry conditions. Supplemental feeding is in full swing. Temperatures are very cold. Albany County reported cold and windy conditions with a small amount of dry, fluffy snow. The open winter so far has helped producers stretch their available hay supplies. The mountains have received some snow lately, but still some concern for next year's irrigation needs. Calving is about 4 to 6 weeks away. Topsoil moisture was reported at 67 percent short to very short, 29 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was reported 75 percent short to very short, 24 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. The average depth of snow cover was reported at 3.00 inches. Winter wheat condition improved to 29 percent poor to very poor, 45 percent fair and 26 percent good. Forty-six percent of the winter wheat crop was reported to have light wind damage and 2 percent with moderate wind damage; 3 percent reported light freeze damage with 2 percent moderate freeze damage. Stock water supplies showed some improvement to 44 percent short to very short and 56 percent adequate. Hay and roughage supplies were rated 31 percent short to very short and 69 percent adequate to surplus. One percent of the farm flock sheep were reported as shorn. Calf losses were reported as 76 percent light and 24 percent normal, lamb losses were reported at 77 percent light and 23 percent normal. Cattle condition was reported 2 percent poor to very poor, 56 percent fair, 42 percent good to excellent. Sheep condition was reported 3 percent poor to very poor, 47 percent fair, 50 percent good to excellent. Date: 1/14/2013
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