Image
Person standing in a wheat field using a tablet device with agriculture icons imposed

Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending June 20, 2021

© iStock - monkeybusinessimpages

Record-high temperatures pushed fieldwork and crop advancement last week while depleting soil moisture supplies in areas, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Statewide, winter wheat turning color progressed quickly compared to the prior week.

In northeastern and east central counties, irrigated crops benefitted from the hot weather and some localities received isolated moisture at the end of the week. Dry conditions also allowed alfalfa harvest to move quickly. Non-irrigated crops and rangeland were notably doing well, but concerns remained going forward if hot temperatures persist without significant moisture.

In southwestern counties, extremely hot temperatures, high winds, and low humidity exacerbated fire danger and multiple wildfires were reported. County reports noted some isolated moisture was received and enough to delay producers who had hay on the ground.

In the San Luis Valley, a dry week allowed the first cutting of alfalfa to move quickly. A county report noted potatoes were mostly in good condition, but emergence was still uneven in areas. Water was notably short in the district.

Southeastern counties received moisture over the weekend and isolated hail was noted, but no damage was reported yet. Winter wheat was maturing quickly in the area.

Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 13 percent very short, 22 percent short, 59 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 83 percent average and 17 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 69 percent average and 31 percent light.

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Alfalfa hay 

    

1st cutting harvested 

79 

51 

73 

71 

2nd cutting harvested 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Barley 

    

Headed 

18 

20 

25 

Corn 

    

Emerged 

99 

87 

98 

96 

Dry edible beans 

    

Planted 

92 

72 

90 

76 

Emerged 

50 

29 

48 

47 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Emerged 

75 

65 

94 

89 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Emerged 

98 

89 

NA 

NA 

Proso millet 

    

Planted 

81 

50 

95 

NA 

Sorghum 

    

Planted 

89 

70 

84 

86 

Emerged 

41 

27 

53 

55 

Sunflowers 

    

Planted 

83 

67 

85 

72 

Winter wheat 

    

Headed 

97 

92 

96 

97 

Turning color 

47 

15 

59 

60 

Mature 

15 

13 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

6.5 

6.8 

6.3 

6.0 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

25 

10 

Short 

20 

18 

49 

21 

Adequate 

75 

74 

26 

65 

Surplus. 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

24 

10 

Short 

26 

27 

46 

21 

Adequate 

69 

65 

30 

67 

Surplus. 

-- 

-- 

CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Alfalfa hay 

    

Very poor 

10 

Poor 

12 

Fair 

21 

24 

28 

22 

Good 

51 

49 

44 

53 

Excellent 

20 

18 

11 

Barley 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

12 

11 

Fair 

44 

41 

31 

23 

Good 

27 

32 

46 

49 

Excellent 

17 

16 

13 

24 

Corn 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

15 

Fair 

19 

17 

47 

24 

Good 

53 

61 

28 

58 

Excellent 

25 

20 

11 

Onions 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

Fair 

42 

42 

26 

14 

Good 

46 

53 

65 

74 

Excellent 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

-- 

32 

12 

Poor 

16 

18 

16 

11 

Fair 

32 

34 

26 

21 

Good 

35 

31 

26 

47 

Excellent 

17 

16 

-- 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

10 

Fair 

30 

11 

27 

21 

Good 

45 

66 

49 

55 

Excellent 

15 

20 

19 

21 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

33 

31 

21 

16 

Good 

55 

59 

62 

64 

Excellent 

10 

12 

17 

Sorghum 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

42 

32 

62 

28 

Good 

49 

57 

28 

63 

Excellent 

11 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

11 

Fair 

25 

28 

28 

22 

Good 

58 

64 

48 

59 

Excellent 

17 

10 

13 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

14 

Poor 

11 

23 

13 

Fair 

27 

26 

34 

29 

Good 

46 

44 

27 

40 

Excellent 

14 

11 

13 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

17 

12 

25 

17 

Good 

63 

64 

60 

69 

Excellent 

13 

18 

11