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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending August 9, 2020

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Conditions continued to worsen across the state last week as hot and dry weather persisted, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Isolated moisture was confined to eastern counties. In northeastern counties, irrigated crops were maturing rapidly. Non-irrigated crop and pasture conditions continued to decline due to lack of received moisture. County reports indicated concerns were high for failure of non-irrigated crops including proso millet, sorghum, corn, and sunflowers. Very isolated precipitation and hail were reported last week. Livestock producers continued to provide supplemental feed and were actively pursuing other grazing arrangements.

East central counties received minimal moisture last week and locally heavy amounts along with damaging hail were reported. Overall, conditions remained very dry and moisture was greatly needed. County reports noted that dryland crops’ ability to make grain this year was doubtful considering lack of moisture. Native grass growth was limited and CRP was open for emergency grazing.

In the southwestern district, hardly any moisture was received last week. The Pine Gulch fire located north of Grand Junction was estimated to have burned more than 25,000 acres at the time of this report, and later grew to 73,000 acres.

In the San Luis Valley, dry conditions last week allowed hay producers to continue putting up the second cutting of alfalfa with fewer delays. Barley was maturing quickly and reports of limited barley harvest in the area were received. Producers were also preparing for potato harvest.

Southeastern counties received scattered moisture last week, but overall conditions were drier which aided cutting of alfalfa. Higher humidity in the area benefited corn and sorghum. 

Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 9 percent very short, 24 percent short, 66 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.

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

Cattle death loss was 85 percent average and 15 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 

91 

75 

86 

85 

3rd cutting harvested 

13 

19 

21 

Barley 

    

Turning color 

93 

88 

94 

91 

Harvested 

14 

Corn 

    

Silked 

95 

84 

87 

89 

Doughed 

36 

16 

12 

19 

Dented 

NA 

Harvested for silage 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Dry edible beans 

    

Blooming 

82 

61 

74 

79 

Sorghum 

    

Headed 

47 

26 

57 

62 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

6.8 

6.5 

5.4 

5.8 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

34 

24 

Short 

38 

40 

15 

21 

Adequate 

27 

34 

77 

69 

Surplus. 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

36 

29 

Short 

36 

39 

16 

20 

Adequate 

28 

31 

77 

71 

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 

14 

16 

Fair 

26 

21 

21 

Good 

45 

47 

73 

56 

Excellent 

14 

12 

Barley 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

Fair 

27 

26 

20 

22 

Good 

54 

52 

49 

51 

Excellent 

19 

21 

23 

24 

Corn 

    

Very poor 

16 

10 

-- 

Poor 

21 

15 

Fair 

23 

30 

19 

20 

Good 

32 

40 

64 

62 

Excellent 

13 

12 

Dry edible beans 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

23 

23 

Fair 

44 

38 

35 

26 

Good 

30 

36 

56 

60 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

Onions 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

Fair 

28 

28 

20 

Good 

57 

57 

89 

66 

Excellent 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

17 

16 

Poor 

26 

25 

12 

Fair 

34 

35 

15 

22 

Good 

22 

23 

71 

51 

Excellent 

10 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

12 

Fair 

16 

15 

30 

19 

Good 

51 

50 

47 

54 

Excellent 

21 

18 

20 

23 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

25 

24 

15 

Good 

56 

57 

70 

77 

Excellent 

11 

11 

13 

13 

Sorghum 

    

Very poor 

10 

Poor 

28 

19 

Fair 

36 

46 

24 

24 

Good 

21 

25 

64 

62 

Excellent 

10 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

17 

19 

13 

12 

Good 

65 

63 

74 

69 

Excellent 

12 

16 

Sunflowers 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

29 

31 

-- 

Fair 

53 

51 

19 

23 

Good 

12 

13 

70 

64 

Excellent 

-- 

11 

10 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

10 

Fair 

36 

34 

13 

Good 

46 

55 

74 

74 

Excellent 

14 

11