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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending August 28, 2022

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Dry, warm weather stressed non-irrigated crops and rangeland, but conditions were overall ideal for fieldwork and harvest activities, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 57 percent of the State is under drought conditions, down 1 percentage point from the previous week. Twenty-three percent of the State is experiencing severe to exceptional drought conditions, down 1 percentage point from last week. Extreme drought conditions are affecting 4 percent of the State, unchanged from last week.

In northeastern and east central counties, above average temperatures and limited precipitation deteriorated crop conditions last week. Southern Yuma County received the most moisture, receiving about an inch of rain, while the rest of the district remained primarily dry. Warm, dry weather allowed for planting of the 2023 winter wheat crop to begin last week. Corn for silage harvest progressed slowly, falling behind the 5-year average. Potato harvest made good progress last week, jumping ahead of last year’s progress.

In southwestern counties, moisture was received in the mountains, and southern La Plata County received almost four inches of rain last week. A reporter in Mesa County stated hay production picked up again after a primarily dry week on the foothills.

In the San Luis Valley, precipitation last week continued to improve crop and rangeland conditions. Alamosa, Rio Grande, and Saguache Counties received over half an inch of rain last week, with some areas receiving over an inch of moisture. Reporters note that barley harvest is progressing well, and harvest of early planted potatoes has begun. The potato crop looks good, and harvest should be in full swing next week. Livestock are in good condition, and recent rains have improved the grazing outlook on forest permits.

Southeastern counties remained primarily dry last week after a few weeks of good moisture. The northern portion of Prowers County received the most moisture last week, receiving just over a quarter of an inch of rain. Third cutting of alfalfa progressed quickly in the district among warm, dry weather. Planting of the 2023 winter wheat crop began in the district, getting off to a slower start than the previous year.

Stored feed supplies were rated 22 percent very short, 22 percent short, 53 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 82 percent average and 18 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 3 percent heavy, 81 percent average, and 16 percent light.

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Alfalfa Hay 

    

3rd cutting harvested 

45 

40 

57 

53 

Barley 

    

Harvested 

32 

20 

76 

71 

Corn 

    

Doughed 

63 

50 

85 

75 

Dented 

30 

20 

26 

25 

Harvested for silage 

10 

Onions 

    

Harvested 

12 

10 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

    

Harvested 

NA 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

    

Harvested 

13 

10 

15 

Sorghum 

    

Headed 

98 

90 

98 

92 

Turning color 

40 

21 

45 

32 

Winter wheat 

    

Planted 

NA 

11 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

6.5 

5.9 

6.7 

6.7 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

27 

22 

15 

15 

Short 

41 

40 

40 

30 

Adequate 

32 

36 

45 

54 

Surplus 

-- 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

29 

25 

19 

16 

Short 

37 

36 

36 

28 

Adequate 

34 

37 

45 

55 

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 

Poor 

16 

12 

Fair 

24 

27 

21 

21 

Good 

55 

55 

48 

54 

Excellent 

Barley 

    

Very poor 

NA 

NA 

Poor 

18 

15 

NA 

NA 

Fair 

38 

30 

NA 

NA 

Good 

26 

34 

NA 

NA 

Excellent 

16 

NA 

NA 

Corn 

    

Very poor 

19 

12 

Poor 

21 

20 

12 

10 

Fair 

34 

37 

25 

23 

Good 

22 

25 

47 

51 

Excellent 

13 

10 

Dry edible beans 

    

Very poor 

10 

-- 

Poor 

11 

14 

15 

Fair 

15 

19 

33 

28 

Good 

40 

37 

42 

48 

Excellent 

38 

23 

11 

Onions 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

11 

Fair 

25 

25 

38 

19 

Good 

65 

65 

43 

68 

Excellent 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

16 

20 

17 

14 

Poor 

21 

19 

19 

18 

Fair 

25 

24 

23 

25 

Good 

23 

27 

29 

36 

Excellent 

15 

10 

12 

Potatoes inside the San Luis Valley 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

10 

13 

Fair 

21 

20 

23 

19 

Good 

47 

55 

44 

51 

Excellent 

17 

20 

18 

22 

Potatoes outside the San Luis Valley 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

60 

50 

34 

18 

Good 

40 

50 

54 

67 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

10 

13 

Sorghum 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

12 

12 

Fair 

41 

41 

22 

24 

Good 

36 

38 

60 

54 

Excellent 

11 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

50 

50 

28 

19 

Good 

50 

50 

56 

63 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

16 

12 

Sunflowers 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

12 

10 

Fair 

45 

40 

34 

26 

Good 

38 

47 

47 

57 

Excellent 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

12 

Poor 

11 

Fair 

11 

14 

17 

17 

Good 

47 

45 

55 

67 

Excellent 

19 

23 

22 

11