The majority of Wyoming experienced below average temperatures in March, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
In isolated areas, temperatures were as much as ten degrees below normal. Precipitation was also below normal for most of the state.
According to the United States Drought Monitor released on March 24, 2022, the amount of land rated as abnormally dry was 2.8 percent, up from 2.4 percent in February. Moderate drought was present across 36.6 percent of the state, an increase from 30.8 percent last month. Severe drought covered 40.6 percent of the state, down from 54.1percent last month, and extreme drought conditions covered 20.0 percent of the state, up from 12.7 percent last month.
In Goshen County, soil moisture was aided by variable moisture. Farmers had begun field activities.
In Lincoln County, more mountain snow was needed to replenish irrigation supplies. Snow cover kept farmers from their fields, but conditions were good for lambing.
Pastures were greening in Platte County, but more precipitation was needed as moisture levels received over the winter were lower than in most years.
Hay and roughage supplies for Wyoming were rated 23 percent very short, 30 percent short, and 47 percent adequate, compared to 29 percent very short, 28 percent short, and 43 percent adequate last month.
Stock water supplies across Wyoming were rated 5 percent very short, 38 percent short, 56 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus, compared to 10 percent very short, 36 percent short,53 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus last month.
Cattle death loss was rated as 2 percent heavy, 73 percent average, and 25 percent light.
Sheep death loss was rated 78 percent average and 22 percent light.
CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS
Commodity
Current report
Previous report
Previous year
5-year average
(percent)
(percent)
(percent)
(percent)
Barley
Planted
7
NA
16
NA
Cattle and calves
Cows calved
11
3
30
NA
Sheep and lambs
Ewes lambed
8
3
18
NA
Sheep shorn
11
2
26
NA
SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION
Current report
Previous report
Previous year
5-year average
(percent)
(percent)
(percent)
(percent)
Topsoil moisture
Very short
26
42
30
NA
Short
42
30
25
NA
Adequate
32
28
42
NA
Surplus
—
—
3
NA
Subsoil moisture
Very short
25
42
35
NA
Short
54
38
26
NA
Adequate
21
20
38
NA
Surplus
—
—
1
NA
CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION
Commodity
Current report
Previous report
Previous year
5-year average
(percent)
(percent)
(percent)
(percent)
Pasture and range
Very poor
7
28
27
NA
Poor
34
28
35
NA
Fair
43
28
28
NA
Good
16
16
9
NA
Excellent
—
—
1
NA
Winter wheat
Very poor
9
7
4
NA
Poor
32
29
14
NA
Fair
45
52
70
NA
Good
14
12
11
NA
Excellent
—
—
1
NA
Livestock
Very poor
—
—
—
NA
Poor
1
1
11
NA
Fair
6
11
27
NA
Good
92
86
61
NA
Excellent
1
2
1
NA
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Ag stats: Wyoming crop progress and condition summary – week ending March 27, 2022 – Kiowa County Press
