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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending August 22, 2021

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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 

NA 

-- 

-- 

Harvested for silage 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Harvested 

-- 

11 

Sorghum 

    

Headed 

97 

91 

85 

86 

Turning color 

18 

14 

19 

Winter wheat 

    

Planted 

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. 

-- 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

21 

25 

43 

14 

Short 

35 

35 

42 

24 

Adequate 

43 

40 

15 

60 

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 

15 

18 

10 

Fair 

25 

18 

20 

20 

Good 

48 

49 

45 

53 

Excellent 

10 

10 

12 

Barley 

    

Very poor 

NA 

Poor 

13 

13 

NA 

Fair 

35 

43 

19 

NA 

Good 

33 

27 

52 

NA 

Excellent 

14 

16 

25 

NA 

Corn 

    

Very poor 

19 

Poor 

12 

12 

18 

Fair 

29 

29 

24 

19 

Good 

39 

41 

32 

55 

Excellent 

13 

15 

13 

Dry edible beans 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

12 

15 

22 

11 

Fair 

36 

32 

41 

29 

Good 

35 

44 

33 

51 

Excellent 

17 

Onions 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

11 

11 

Fair 

38 

38 

24 

17 

Good 

43 

43 

62 

69 

Excellent 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

22 

11 

Poor 

21 

19 

42 

17 

Fair 

27 

30 

27 

24 

Good 

30 

22 

41 

Excellent 

14 

20 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

16 

20 

Fair 

31 

36 

17 

16 

Good 

36 

34 

53 

59 

Excellent 

13 

23 

22 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

36 

34 

23 

13 

Good 

53 

55 

56 

70 

Excellent 

12 

14 

Sorghum 

    

Very poor 

16 

Poor 

26 

11 

Fair 

19 

19 

45 

27 

Good 

59 

56 

50 

Excellent 

14 

18 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

25 

25 

24 

18 

Good 

50 

50 

52 

66 

Excellent 

25 

25 

10 

12 

Sunflowers 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

10 

10 

28 

Fair 

38 

30 

46 

27 

Good 

46 

55 

19 

57 

Excellent 

-- 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

Fair 

25 

17 

35 

16 

Good 

46 

60 

46 

70 

Excellent 

21 

17 

10