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WY: Rainless weather continues
By the Associated Press, The Billings Gazette
May 16, 2001
 
Warm weather helped crops but topsoil continued to dry out as much of Wyoming went rainless last week, according to the state Agricultural Statistics Service.

Most of Wyoming had only light precipitation from May 7-13 except for isolated areas in the southeast. Topsoil moisture was adequate in 43 percent of the state, compared to 52 percent the week before, 64 percent last year and the five-year average of 69 percent.

Topsoil moisture was short in 53 percent of Wyoming, up from 42 percent the week before and 32 percent last year. On average, 22 percent of the state lacks topsoil moisture this time of year.

Irrigation supplies were meanwhile adequate in just a third of Wyoming. They were short in 53 percent of Wyoming and very short in 14 percent of the state.

By Sunday, 66 percent of the barley crop had emerged and 5 percent was jointing. Both indicators are on the five-year average pace.

Spring wheat was slightly behind average, with two-thirds of the crop planted and 23 percent emerged. Oats seeding was 61 percent done and 24 percent of the crop had emerged.

Ninety-eight percent of the sugar beet crop was in the ground, but only 34 percent had emerged, compared to the average of 46 percent for this time of year.

Winter wheat was about a third jointed, compared to the average of 24 percent, and only half the crop was rated in good condition.

As for livestock, 96 percent of calves and 95 percent of lambs had been born.

Farm flock shearing was done and range flock sheep were 90 percent shorn. Both were near the average.

Livestock as a whole were rated in good to excellent condition in two-thirds of the state and in mostly fair shape elsewhere.

Temperatures were warmer than normal in most areas. Average temperatures ranged from 2 degrees below normal in Chugwater to 4 degrees above normal in Riverton.

Big Piney reported the low temperature for the week, 14 degrees, while the high reading, in Deaver, was 83. Highs ranged mostly in the low 70s to the low 80s while lows were in the high teens to low 30s.