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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending August 7, 2022

© iStock - William_Potter

Record breaking temperatures and limited moisture were observed across 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, 62 percent of the State is under drought conditions, down 17 percentage points from the previous week. Thirty-one percent of the State is experiencing severe to exceptional drought conditions, down 6 percentage points from last week. Extreme drought conditions are affecting 5 percent of the State, unchanged from last week.

In northeastern and east central counties, limited to no precipitation was received last week. The far northeastern part of the State reached temperatures over 100 degrees late in the week, while the Denver Metro area broke a 145-year-old record high temperature after reaching 100 degrees. Areas of Phillips and Sedgwick Counties experienced temperatures more than 8 degrees above average, a sharp change from the previous weeks’ below average temperatures. A reporter in Kit Carson County stated two to four inches of rain was received last week. Reporters noted the summer crops are showing signs of stress from high temperatures and limited moisture. Boulder County received the most notable moisture in the State, receiving over eight inches in the eastern portion of the county last week.

In southwestern counties, temperatures in the high-90’s depleted any topsoil moisture received the last few weeks.

In the San Luis Valley, the second cutting of alfalfa is progressing well among dry conditions, yet still behind normal. Reporters note the barley crop is coloring well and the potato crop is developing about a week behind normal, but is in good condition. County reports note livestock are in good condition among pastures that are holding up better than expected with the lack of moisture.

In southeastern counties, monsoonal moisture has been moving through the area. According to county reports, forage and row crops are responding well to recent moisture events, although slightly behind in development.

Stored feed supplies were rated 28 percent very short, 21 percent short, 49 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 90 percent average and 10 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 1 percent heavy, 86 percent average, and 13 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 

64 

56 

73 

81 

3rd cutting harvested 

16 

11 

16 

Barley 

    

Turning color 

70 

59 

86 

89 

Corn 

    

Silked 

80 

51 

94 

89 

Doughed 

30 

13 

30 

21 

Dry edible beans 

    

Blooming 

75 

50 

86 

78 

Sorghum 

    

Headed 

49 

27 

73 

57 

Turning color 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

6.3 

5.5 

6.4 

5.9 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

23 

20 

13 

13 

Short 

30 

35 

37 

27 

Adequate 

45 

45 

49 

56 

Surplus 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

28 

25 

23 

16 

Short 

24 

30 

34 

25 

Adequate 

43 

40 

43 

57 

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 

12 

Poor 

10 

20 

13 

Fair 

24 

30 

19 

22 

Good 

60 

57 

38 

49 

Excellent 

11 

Barley 

    

Very poor 

14 

-- 

Poor 

12 

14 

Fair 

30 

24 

42 

30 

Good 

32 

43 

26 

46 

Excellent 

12 

23 

18 

18 

Corn 

    

Very poor 

10 

Poor 

19 

17 

13 

11 

Fair 

40 

53 

24 

22 

Good 

24 

18 

42 

51 

Excellent 

19 

12 

Dry edible beans 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

16 

16 

16 

14 

Fair 

30 

30 

32 

31 

Good 

32 

31 

43 

48 

Excellent 

14 

20 

Onions 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

11 

Fair 

30 

30 

38 

28 

Good 

60 

60 

43 

60 

Excellent 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

23 

24 

11 

Poor 

16 

13 

17 

17 

Fair 

25 

25 

30 

25 

Good 

29 

29 

25 

38 

Excellent 

23 

Potatoes inside the San Luis Valley 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

10 

20 

Fair 

20 

20 

35 

22 

Good 

50 

57 

35 

48 

Excellent 

15 

18 

19 

Potatoes outside the San Luis Valley 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

40 

40 

34 

18 

Good 

60 

60 

55 

65 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

13 

Sorghum 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

10 

Fair 

54 

64 

15 

22 

Good 

31 

26 

65 

55 

Excellent 

11 

15 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

45 

50 

25 

17 

Good 

50 

50 

50 

64 

Excellent 

-- 

25 

15 

Sunflowers 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

10 

13 

Fair 

40 

51 

29 

28 

Good 

43 

33 

58 

56 

Excellent 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

11 

Poor 

11 

11 

Fair 

12 

11 

12 

18 

Good 

47 

60 

63 

66 

Excellent 

19 

19 

10