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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending April 17, 2022

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Windy conditions and minimal moisture were observed across most of the State last week, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 83 percent of the State is under drought conditions, unchanged from last week. Thirty-two percent of the State is experiencing severe to exceptional drought conditions, and extreme drought conditions are affecting 4 percent of the State, both unchanged from the previous week.

In northeastern and east central counties, extremely windy conditions and a late hard freeze continued to worsen winter wheat conditions.

Southwestern counties were affected by strong winds and minimal moisture last week. A reporter noted that late freezing temperatures continue to affect the fruit crop in bloom. Irrigation water has been turned on, and a reporter noted producers are preparing fields for planting.

In the San Luis Valley, barley planting continues through windy conditions, and irrigation has begun. A reporter noted soil temperatures are still cold and potato seed planting is likely to start this week.

The southeastern counties remained primarily dry, and windy conditions persisted, further depleting crop and range conditions. A reporter noted winter wheat harvest is looking bleak, as conditions continue downward due to lack of moisture and wind.

Overall, calving and lambing continued with few issues, with 81 percent of cows calved and 76 percent of ewes lambed, both behind the previous year and the 5-year average.

As of April 17, 2022, snowpack in Colorado was 91 percent measured as percent of median snowfall, up 10 percentage point from the previous week. The Southwest and San Luis Valley were 80 and 65 percent, respectively.

Stored feed supplies were rated 11 percent very short, 27 percent short, and 62 percent adequate.

Sheep death loss was 75 percent average and 25 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 1 percent heavy, 84 percent average, and 15 percent light.

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Barley 

    

Planted 

27 

10 

36 

44 

Onions 

    

Planted 

-- 

13 

26 

Winter wheat 

    

Pastured 

10 

Jointed 

20 

15 

29 

20 

Cattle and calves 

    

Cows calved 

81 

73 

88 

82 

Sheep and lambs 

    

Ewes lambed 

76 

65 

80 

81 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week 

Previous week 

Previous year 

5-year average 

Days suitable for fieldwork 

5.7 

4.9 

4.9 

4.9 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

30 

20 

13 

11 

Short 

46 

43 

36 

24 

Adequate 

23 

36 

51 

63 

Surplus 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

27 

28 

32 

14 

Short 

48 

50 

36 

26 

Adequate 

25 

22 

32 

59 

Surplus 

-- 

-- 

-- 

CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

23 

21 

25 

12 

Poor 

29 

24 

28 

19 

Fair 

19 

23 

35 

31 

Good 

29 

31 

12 

36 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

17 

12 

14 

Poor 

31 

31 

20 

15 

Fair 

38 

37 

40 

32 

Good 

14 

19 

23 

38 

Excellent 

-- 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

10 

Fair 

22 

32 

32 

21 

Good 

61 

47 

49 

67 

Excellent 

14