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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending July 19, 2020

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Winter wheat harvest neared completion in several eastern counties last week, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Statewide, winter wheat harvested was 92 percent complete, compared to 53 percent last year and 73 percent on average.

In northwestern counties, harvest of hay progressed quickly due to dwindling irrigation water supplies and therefore cessation of irrigation. Regrowth has been limited on pastures due to lack of moisture.

Northeastern counties experienced another hot and windy week, depleting soil moisture and worsening pasture and range conditions. Rangeland fires due to lightning were observed. County reports noted native grass was dormant in areas and livestock producers continued to provide supplemental feed. Heavier culling and sale of livestock in the area was noted. Winter wheat harvest continued, and some adverse yields were reported due to wheat stem sawfly damage, dry conditions, and earlier freeze damage.

East central counties received limited, isolated moisture in areas last week. Pasture conditions continued to decline, and concerns were high for the ability of spring crops to mature normally and produce grain without more moisture. A report from Kiowa County noted emergency grazing of CRP was being implemented.

In the San Luis Valley, monsoonal moisture brought scattered precipitation to the area. The potato crop was notably in good condition and maturing ahead of the average.

In southeastern counties, isolated rain brought moisture to a few areas. Moisture was very beneficial for native grass growth in pastures, but more is needed.

Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 7 percent very short, 23 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 51 percent average and 49 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 83 percent average and 17 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 

45 

31 

37 

46 

3rd cutting harvested 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Barley 

    

Headed 

97 

92 

92 

94 

Turning color 

26 

10 

39 

40 

Corn 

    

Silked 

35 

16 

23 

Doughed 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Dry edible beans 

    

Blooming 

24 

14 

29 

34 

Sorghum 

    

Emerged 

94 

91 

NA 

NA 

Headed 

-- 

-- 

Winter wheat 

    

Harvested 

92 

70 

53 

73 

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 

6.3 

6.3 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

Very short 

34 

32 

Short 

37 

34 

17 

25 

Adequate 

29 

34 

75 

63 

Surplus. 

-- 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

32 

32 

Short 

42 

38 

16 

24 

Adequate 

26 

30 

76 

66 

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 

12 

Fair 

25 

29 

12 

23 

Good 

53 

44 

59 

52 

Excellent 

20 

14 

Barley 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

22 

28 

22 

21 

Good 

51 

47 

45 

52 

Excellent 

26 

16 

24 

25 

Corn 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

14 

15 

Fair 

36 

33 

20 

21 

Good 

36 

39 

65 

57 

Excellent 

13 

12 

Dry edible beans 

    

Very poor 

17 

17 

-- 

Poor 

20 

18 

Fair 

33 

31 

22 

23 

Good 

29 

33 

70 

58 

Excellent 

Onions 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

Fair 

30 

30 

13 

19 

Good 

59 

59 

84 

66 

Excellent 

12 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

24 

27 

Poor 

24 

17 

12 

Fair 

32 

33 

17 

25 

Good 

20 

23 

68 

48 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

11 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

Fair 

18 

30 

20 

Good 

65 

56 

47 

54 

Excellent 

28 

21 

20 

23 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

20 

25 

19 

11 

Good 

54 

55 

64 

73 

Excellent 

20 

15 

15 

15 

Sorghum 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

21 

21 

Fair 

48 

49 

21 

30 

Good 

19 

22 

71 

57 

Excellent 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

13 

12 

Fair 

27 

27 

17 

15 

Good 

47 

49 

71 

67 

Excellent 

10 

10 

16 

Sunflowers 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

12 

13 

-- 

Fair 

57 

56 

22 

27 

Good 

25 

27 

73 

60 

Excellent 

-- 

10 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

22 

20 

15 

15 

Good 

59 

65 

65 

68 

Excellent 

16 

13