Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending August 11, 2019
Winter wheat harvest was virtually complete by week’s end as producers in only a few localities were still finishing harvest, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.
Significant moisture events last week were mostly confined to eastern districts, although western counties received some isolated precipitation.
In northwestern counties, received moisture kept pastures green but slightly delayed hay harvest, according to a county reporter.
In northeastern counties, hot weather continued to advance spring crops toward maturity. Locally heavy rainfall in areas reduced fieldwork opportunities. Declining rangeland conditions in dry areas were still a concern due to lack of consistent moisture. Reporters noted dryland crops were still in mostly good condition, but measurable moisture was needed going forward.
In northern east central counties, severe thunderstorms Sunday brought tornadoes, damaging hail, and locally heavy rainfall. Hail in excess of four inches in diameter was reported in Washington county near Otis. Other counties in the area benefitted from summer monsoon moisture.
In southwestern counties, limited monsoon moisture led to a decline in crop and rangeland conditions in the area.
In the San Luis Valley, received moisture improved soil moisture supplies and rangeland conditions. Hay supplies were noted as short, but better than last year. Reporters noted crops were doing well, but still behind slightly compared to last year. A reporter noted some early potatoes were showing signs of maturity and the start of barley harvest was near.
Southeastern counties received isolated moisture last week and hay harvest was slowed slightly. Other crops in the area greatly benefitted from the moisture, according to a county reporter.
Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 7 percent short, 84 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus.
Sheep death loss was 1 percent heavy, 58 percent average, and 41 percent light.
Cattle death loss was 1 percent heavy, 66 percent average, and 33 percent light.
CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS | ||||
Commodity | Current week | Previous week | Previous year | 5-year average |
(percent) | (percent) | (percent) | (percent) | |
Alfalfa hay | ||||
2nd cutting harvested | 90 | 77 | 86 | 85 |
3rd cutting harvested | 22 | 11 | 27 | 26 |
Barley | ||||
Turning color | 97 | 88 | 92 | 91 |
Harvested | 7 | 5 | 19 | 23 |
Corn | ||||
Silked | 91 | 77 | 92 | 91 |
Doughed | 15 | 5 | 39 | 27 |
Dented | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Dry edible beans | ||||
Blooming | 79 | 62 | 87 | 85 |
Sorghum | ||||
Headed | 64 | 40 | 74 | 62 |
Turning color | 3 | 1 | 9 | 12 |
Winter wheat | ||||
Harvested | 96 | 92 | 100 | 99 |
DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION | ||||
Current week | Previous week | Previous year | 5-year average | |
Days suitable for fieldwork | 5.4 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 5.9 |
Topsoil moisture | (percent) | (percent) | (percent) | (percent) |
Very short | 3 | 7 | 12 | 7 |
Short | 15 | 23 | 30 | 25 |
Adequate | 77 | 66 | 54 | 64 |
Surplus | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Subsoil moisture | ||||
Very short | 3 | 5 | 18 | 10 |
Short | 16 | 22 | 25 | 23 |
Adequate | 77 | 67 | 53 | 64 |
Surplus | 4 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION | ||||
Commodity | Current week | Previous week | Previous year | 5-year average |
(percent) | (percent) | (percent) | (percent) | |
Alfalfa hay | ||||
Very poor | 2 | 2 | 8 | 3 |
Poor | 3 | 5 | 17 | 9 |
Fair | 8 | 11 | 30 | 24 |
Good | 73 | 69 | 37 | 51 |
Excellent | 14 | 13 | 8 | 13 |
Barley | ||||
Very poor | 3 | 2 | -- | -- |
Poor | 5 | 4 | -- | 2 |
Fair | 20 | 15 | 34 | 21 |
Good | 49 | 54 | 47 | 52 |
Excellent | 23 | 25 | 19 | 25 |
Corn | ||||
Very poor | -- | -- | 3 | 1 |
Poor | 4 | 4 | 8 | 5 |
Fair | 19 | 22 | 26 | 21 |
Good | 64 | 63 | 58 | 60 |
Excellent | 13 | 11 | 5 | 13 |
Dry edible beans | ||||
Very poor | -- | -- | 11 | 2 |
Poor | 4 | 4 | 19 | 6 |
Fair | 35 | 35 | 17 | 29 |
Good | 56 | 55 | 47 | 56 |
Excellent | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
Onions | ||||
Very poor | -- | -- | 4 | 1 |
Poor | -- | -- | 5 | 4 |
Fair | 8 | 8 | 32 | 21 |
Good | 89 | 89 | 52 | 62 |
Excellent | 3 | 3 | 7 | 12 |
Pasture and range | ||||
Very poor | 1 | 1 | 30 | 8 |
Poor | 3 | 5 | 29 | 15 |
Fair | 15 | 17 | 24 | 26 |
Good | 71 | 65 | 15 | 43 |
Excellent | 10 | 12 | 2 | 8 |
Potatoes inside San Luis Valley | ||||
Very poor | -- | -- | -- | 1 |
Poor | 3 | 3 | 5 | 6 |
Fair | 30 | 27 | 16 | 18 |
Good | 47 | 51 | 53 | 54 |
Excellent | 20 | 19 | 26 | 21 |
Potatoes outside San Luis Valley | ||||
Very poor | -- | -- | 2 | -- |
Poor | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
Fair | 15 | 17 | 13 | 9 |
Good | 70 | 67 | 59 | 77 |
Excellent | 13 | 14 | 23 | 13 |
Sorghum | ||||
Very poor | 1 | 1 | 9 | 3 |
Poor | 1 | 2 | 13 | 9 |
Fair | 24 | 33 | 23 | 28 |
Good | 64 | 54 | 53 | 56 |
Excellent | 10 | 10 | 2 | 4 |
Sugarbeets | ||||
Very poor | -- | -- | 2 | 1 |
Poor | 1 | -- | 5 | 3 |
Fair | 13 | 13 | 18 | 13 |
Good | 74 | 75 | 53 | 65 |
Excellent | 12 | 12 | 22 | 18 |
Sunflowers | ||||
Very poor | -- | -- | 2 | 1 |
Poor | -- | -- | 4 | 7 |
Fair | 19 | 23 | 25 | 24 |
Good | 70 | 68 | 61 | 59 |
Excellent | 11 | 9 | 8 | 9 |
Livestock | ||||
Very poor | -- | -- | 2 | -- |
Poor | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Fair | 9 | 8 | 21 | 15 |
Good | 74 | 76 | 66 | 72 |
Excellent | 14 | 13 | 8 | 11 |
