Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending August 22, 2021
Crops continued to progress close to the average amidst mixed precipitation last week, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.
In northeastern counties, some localities received good moisture and cooler weather provided short-term relief to dry conditions. The third cutting of alfalfa was nearly finished. County reports noted non-irrigated crops and rangeland continued to deteriorate in areas that have not received moisture.
In east central counties, heavy precipitation straddled Phillips and northern Yuma county, dumping over eight inches of rain in areas. Flash flooding was noted. County reports noted limited winter wheat seeding began in the district.
In southwestern counties, temperatures moderated, and good moisture was received in areas.
Barley harvest in the San Luis Valley advanced quickly and little moisture was received. The second cutting of alfalfa continued, and county reports noted potato harvest was around the corner. Conditions remained dry.
In southeastern counties, precipitation was limited last week. County reports noted irrigation water supplies started to slow and soil moisture supplies declined.
Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 4 percent very short, 29 percent short, 50 percent adequate, and 17 percent surplus.
Sheep death loss was 84 percent average and 16 percent light.
Cattle death loss was 68 percent average and 32 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 | 94 | 85 | NA | NA |
3rd cutting harvested | 44 | 29 | 39 | 43 |
Barley | ||||
Harvested | 53 | 20 | 55 | 45 |
Corn | ||||
Doughed | 66 | 49 | 68 | 60 |
Dented | 18 | 12 | 21 | 15 |
Mature | 1 | NA | -- | -- |
Harvested for silage | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
Potatoes outside San Luis Valley | ||||
Harvested | 1 | -- | 4 | 11 |
Sorghum | ||||
Headed | 97 | 91 | 85 | 86 |
Turning color | 18 | 9 | 14 | 19 |
Winter wheat | ||||
Planted | 3 | NA | -- | -- |
DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION | ||||
Current week | Previous week | Previous year | 5-year average | |
Days suitable for fieldwork | 6.6 | 6.7 | 6.9 | 6.6 |
Topsoil moisture | (percent) | (percent) | (percent) | (percent) |
Very short | 16 | 14 | 39 | 13 |
Short | 35 | 42 | 44 | 25 |
Adequate | 44 | 44 | 17 | 59 |
Surplus. | 5 | -- | -- | 3 |
Subsoil moisture | ||||
Very short | 21 | 25 | 43 | 14 |
Short | 35 | 35 | 42 | 24 |
Adequate | 43 | 40 | 15 | 60 |
Surplus. | 1 | -- | -- | 2 |
CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION | ||||
Commodity | Current week | Previous week | Previous year | 5-year average |
(percent) | (percent) | (percent) | (percent) | |
Alfalfa hay | ||||
Very poor | 8 | 8 | 10 | 5 |
Poor | 9 | 15 | 18 | 10 |
Fair | 25 | 18 | 20 | 20 |
Good | 48 | 49 | 45 | 53 |
Excellent | 10 | 10 | 7 | 12 |
Barley | ||||
Very poor | 5 | 1 | 1 | NA |
Poor | 13 | 13 | 3 | NA |
Fair | 35 | 43 | 19 | NA |
Good | 33 | 27 | 52 | NA |
Excellent | 14 | 16 | 25 | NA |
Corn | ||||
Very poor | 7 | 3 | 19 | 5 |
Poor | 12 | 12 | 18 | 8 |
Fair | 29 | 29 | 24 | 19 |
Good | 39 | 41 | 32 | 55 |
Excellent | 13 | 15 | 7 | 13 |
Dry edible beans | ||||
Very poor | -- | -- | 3 | 3 |
Poor | 12 | 15 | 22 | 11 |
Fair | 36 | 32 | 41 | 29 |
Good | 35 | 44 | 33 | 51 |
Excellent | 17 | 9 | 1 | 6 |
Onions | ||||
Very poor | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
Poor | 11 | 11 | 6 | 5 |
Fair | 38 | 38 | 24 | 17 |
Good | 43 | 43 | 62 | 69 |
Excellent | 6 | 6 | 5 | 7 |
Pasture and range | ||||
Very poor | 8 | 9 | 22 | 11 |
Poor | 21 | 19 | 42 | 17 |
Fair | 27 | 30 | 27 | 24 |
Good | 30 | 22 | 8 | 41 |
Excellent | 14 | 20 | 1 | 7 |
Potatoes inside San Luis Valley | ||||
Very poor | 4 | 5 | 2 | -- |
Poor | 16 | 20 | 5 | 3 |
Fair | 31 | 36 | 17 | 16 |
Good | 36 | 34 | 53 | 59 |
Excellent | 13 | 5 | 23 | 22 |
Potatoes outside San Luis Valley | ||||
Very poor | -- | -- | 2 | 1 |
Poor | 2 | 2 | 7 | 2 |
Fair | 36 | 34 | 23 | 13 |
Good | 53 | 55 | 56 | 70 |
Excellent | 9 | 9 | 12 | 14 |
Sorghum | ||||
Very poor | 3 | 3 | 16 | 5 |
Poor | 5 | 4 | 26 | 11 |
Fair | 19 | 19 | 45 | 27 |
Good | 59 | 56 | 9 | 50 |
Excellent | 14 | 18 | 4 | 7 |
Sugarbeets | ||||
Very poor | -- | -- | 5 | 1 |
Poor | -- | -- | 9 | 3 |
Fair | 25 | 25 | 24 | 18 |
Good | 50 | 50 | 52 | 66 |
Excellent | 25 | 25 | 10 | 12 |
Sunflowers | ||||
Very poor | 1 | -- | 7 | 2 |
Poor | 10 | 10 | 28 | 7 |
Fair | 38 | 30 | 46 | 27 |
Good | 46 | 55 | 19 | 57 |
Excellent | 5 | 5 | -- | 7 |
Livestock | ||||
Very poor | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Poor | 6 | 5 | 8 | 3 |
Fair | 25 | 17 | 35 | 16 |
Good | 46 | 60 | 46 | 70 |
Excellent | 21 | 17 | 8 | 10 |
