TO_LS150 Torrington, WY Fri May 1, 2009 USDA-WY Dept Ag Market News Wyoming, Western Nebraska and Southwestern South Dakota Annual Grazing Fee Report as of May 1, 2009 Demand for spring and summer grass moderate to good. This past month has provided all areas with good moisture and the outlook for grass is probably the best in several years. Available grass in western Nebraska and eastern Wyoming is limited but reports are there is a lot of grass available in western and north central Wyoming. Cool temperatures this past month have delayed a green up this spring. Snow storms in northern Wyoming and western South Dakota have provided a good water supply for cattle this summer. The stock water supply in Wyoming is reported as 93 percent adequate and 74 percent adequate on South Dakota. Soil moisture levels in Wyoming are adequate in 88 percent of the state and 77 percent in Nebraska. South Dakota is reporting 70 percent adequate with 30 percent surplus. The snowpack in Wyoming looks very good for summer irrigation water. Snow pack in western Wyoming is averaging 105 percent of normal, central Wyoming 104- 110 percent. South-Central Wyoming, which provides most of the irrigation water for eastern Wyoming and western Nebraska, is at 115 percent. Range and pasture conditions in Wyoming are 61 percent good to excellent with 39 percent in fair to poor condition. In Nebraska 73 percent of pastures are in good to excellent and 56 percent good to excellent in South Dakota. Some higher than normal calf losses have been reported due to the recent snow storms across the area. In Wyoming 12 percent death loss has been heavy and 20 percent above average in South Dakota. In some instances cow deaths have been reported above normal. With the wet conditions ranchers are struggling with scours in calves. Most of last years hay supply is gone. Demand remains good for cow hay. South Dakota had a lot of hay last fall but due to the hard winter nearly all their supply had been sold or fed. Prices have shown some weakness the last couple months for dairy quality hay. With the good moisture lately the outlook for a good first cutting hay crop looks good. This is the final report for the 2009 grazing season. --Cow/Calf Pairs-- --2009-- --2008-- Eastern and - 18.00-30.00, 22.00-35.00, Central Wyoming mostly 18.00-25.00 mostly 22.00-30.00, instances 16.00-20.00 Western Wyoming - 12.00-20.00, 15.00-20.00 mostly 15.00-20.00 Western Nebraska - 26.00-42.50, 22.00-40.00, mostly 28.00-35.00, mostly 28.00-35.00, instances 42.00-45.00 S.W. South Dakota - 25.00-35.00, 22.00-36.00, mostly 25.00-32.00, mostly 25.00-35.00 instances 36.00-38.00 --Yearlings-- --2009-- --2008-- Eastern and - 13.00-20.00, 14.00-25.00, Central Wyoming mostly 14.00-18.00 mostly 14.00-20.00 or .30-.32 per lb gain or .25-.30 per lb gain Western Wyoming - 12.00-17.00, 10.00-16.00, or .27 per lb gain or .25-.28 per lb gain Western Nebraska - 15.00-25.00, 15.00-26.00, mostly 18.00-25.00 S.W. South Dakota - 15.00-24.00, 13.00-28.00, mostly 15.00-20.00 mostly 16.00-24.00 Note: Lease contracts vary widely even within specific areas. Generally the high end of the price range requires landlords to maintain fences, check windmills, cattle, etc. While on the lower end of the price range cattle owners are responsible for these services. Sheep to cattle pasture ratios are usually 6 to 1. Source: USDA-WY Dept of Ag Market News, Torrington, WY Dennis Widga, OIC 307-532-4146 24 Hour Market News Recording 307-532-7200 Office email: torrington.lgmn@usda.gov www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/to_ls150.txt 1030m dlw kmo