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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending August 8, 2021

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Spring crops continued to progress close to average last week, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

In northwestern counties, monsoon moisture improved conditions but more is needed to provide long-term relief. Hay harvest continued.

In northeastern counties, dry pockets emerged amidst very hot and dry weather. County reports indicated non-irrigated crops were stressed from dry conditions and yield expectations were decreasing. Concerns remained regarding pasture and range condition. County reports indicated producers were harvesting barley in the district.

In east central counties, isolated moisture was received in some areas while others remained dry. County reports noted sorghum was just beginning to turn color.

In southwestern counties, monsoon moisture continued to help area moisture supplies, but consistent moisture is still needed.

In the San Luis Valley, the second cutting of alfalfa progressed more last week and barley was notably coloring well. County reports noted some lodging was observed. Received moisture proved beneficial to area pasture and range.

In southeastern counties, isolated moisture was reported and was very heavy in areas.

Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 7 percent very short, 23 percent short, 56 percent adequate, and 14 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 80 percent average and 20 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 63 percent average and 37 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 

74

67

89

85

3rd cutting harvested 

12

8

12

19

Barley

    

Turning color 

89

71

92

91

Harvested 

7

2

4

10

Corn

    

Silked 

95

86

93

89

Doughed 

32

15

33

21

Dented 

10

4

4

2

Dry edible beans

    

Blooming 

88

75

79

80

Sorghum

    

Headed 

77

48

44

58

Turning color 

3

1

--

5

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

6.4

6.6

6.8

5.9

Topsoil moisture

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

13

14

34

11

Short 

37

30

38

24

Adequate 

49

55

27

61

Surplus 

1

1

1

4

Subsoil moisture

    

Very short 

23

16

36

12

Short 

34

32

36

22

Adequate 

43

52

28

63

Surplus 

--

--

--

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 

12

9

9

5

Poor 

20

13

14

10

Fair 

19

26

26

21

Good 

38

41

45

53

Excellent 

11

11

6

11

Barley

    

Very poor 

--

5

--

1

Poor 

14

11

--

2

Fair 

42

33

27

24

Good 

26

34

54

51

Excellent 

18

17

19

22

Corn

    

Very poor 

2

1

16

4

Poor 

13

9

21

9

Fair 

24

25

23

20

Good 

42

50

32

55

Excellent 

19

15

8

12

Dry edible beans

    

Very poor 

--

--

3

3

Poor 

16

13

23

11

Fair 

32

37

44

28

Good 

43

34

30

53

Excellent 

9

16

--

5

Onions

    

Very poor 

2

--

2

1

Poor 

11

9

9

4

Fair 

38

40

28

22

Good 

43

46

57

66

Excellent 

6

5

4

7

Pasture and range

    

Very poor 

5

2

17

10

Poor 

17

10

26

14

Fair 

30

32

34

24

Good 

25

34

22

46

Excellent 

23

22

1

6

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley

   

Very poor 

5

3

3

1

Poor 

20

16

9

5

Fair 

35

30

16

19

Good 

35

40

51

53

Excellent 

5

11

21

22

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley

   

Very poor 

--

--

2

1

Poor 

2

2

6

2

Fair 

34

34

25

12

Good 

55

55

56

71

Excellent 

9

9

11

14

Sorghum

    

Very poor 

2

--

10

4

Poor 

3

2

28

10

Fair 

15

17

36

25

Good 

65

71

21

54

Excellent 

15

10

5

7

Sugarbeets

    

Very poor 

--

--

3

1

Poor 

--

--

8

4

Fair 

25

28

17

14

Good 

50

56

65

68

Excellent 

25

16

7

13

Sunflowers

    

Very poor 

--

--

5

1

Poor 

8

8

29

8

Fair 

29

25

53

27

Good 

58

62

12

57

Excellent 

5

5

1

7

Livestock

    

Very poor 

1

1

5

1

Poor 

5

6

10

4

Fair 

12

12

36

18

Good 

63

56

46

68

Excellent 

19

25

3

9