Wayne Ohnesorg, Extension Educator in Madison, Pierce and Antelope Counties: During the week of May 15-21, I recorded 3.52 inches of rain at Norfolk. Higher amounts of rain were seen in the area. Corn is likely around 95% planted with soybean around 85%. Corn began emerging during the week. With all the moisture, pastures are looking good. Warmer temperatures with a bit of a dry period may allow planting to wrap up. The rain beginning in the evening of May 16 shut down fieldwork in the area until late the following week. 

Gary Stone, Extension Educator at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center, Scottsbluff: Last week was a wet one for most of the Panhandle.  Much needed precipitation amounts varied from several inches to over three inches. Most precipitation was in the form of rainfall, but we did have some small hail and several inches of snow. Due to the warm soil temperatures, the snow did not last long. Most of the sugar beets have been planted and probably half of the corn. Further planting and field preparations will be on hold for a few days as fields dry out.

Crop damage to the winter wheat due to freezing or below-freezing temperatures should be minimal, if at all. Across the Panhandle, the near freezing or freezing temperatures occurred May 17, with an average temperature of 31.6° F. Harrison recorded an average of 27°F for four nights (May 11-14).  Most of the winter wheat is in the southern Panhandle with other acres in the Box Butte and Sheridan county areas.

On the plus side, the Medicine Bow and Sierra Madre mountain ranges in Wyoming received a good boost of moisture in the form of snow.  This has brought the moisture levels for the North Platte River basin in Wyoming back to normal for this time of year. (5/20/17)