Fieldwork made limited progress due to a late week spring snowstorm, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

In northeastern counties, producers were in the field as conditions allowed, but fields were still noted as wet. Precipitation was beneficial for non-irrigated crop and rangeland conditions. A reporter noted livestock producers were prepared for last week’s storm which did not turn out as severe as March’s blizzard.

In east central counties, very high winds were noted last week.

In southwestern counties, soil moisture conditions were reportedly excellent with cool season grasses really starting to green up and grow. Producers reported higher than normal losses during calving.

In the San Luis Valley, barley planting picked up but reporters noted emergence was slow due to cold temperatures. River water irrigation also started last week. Feed supplies were noted as sufficient, but some producers had trouble finding specialty forages.

Southeastern county reporters noted scattered precipitation was received with a lot of wind. Low temperatures at week’s end were a concern for jointed winter wheat.

Statewide, winter wheat condition was rated 62 percent good to excellent, compared to 38 percent rated good to excellent last year.

As of April 12, 2019, snowpack in Colorado was 130 percent measured as percent of median snowfall. The Southwest and San Luis Valley were 157 and 139 percent, respectively.

Stored feed supplies were rated 6 percent very short, 18 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 1 percent heavy, 58 percent average, and 41 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 4 percent heavy, 85 percent average, and 11 percent light.