Hot, dry conditions stress crops

Wyoming experienced near normal temperatures for the week ending July 1, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, Wyoming. Fourteen of the 34 reporting stations reported above average temperatures for the week with the high temperature of 103 degrees recorded at Torrington and a low of 34 degrees at Yellowstone, Big Piney, and Laramie. Below normal moisture was reported at 24 of the 34 reporting stations. Seven reporting stations had no precipitation. Kaycee reported the most moisture with 1.15 inches. A reporter from southwestern Wyoming indicated that the weather has been hot and windy. A reporter from south central Wyoming indicated that they received high temperatures and sustained winds, which have removed all moisture from non-irrigated ground. A reporter from southeastern Wyoming indicated that it has dried out quickly with a return of warm temperatures. Another reporter from southeastern Wyoming indicated that the high temperature combined with irrigation water being shut off has stressed some crops. Irrigation water supply across Wyoming was rated 1 percent poor, 5 percent fair, 83 percent good, and 11 percent excellent.