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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending July 5, 2020

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Winter wheat harvest advanced quickly in eastern counties last week where conditions allowed, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Statewide, winter wheat harvested was 36 percent complete, compared to 7 percent last year and 20 percent on average.

In northeastern counties, severe weather delivered isolated moisture and hail in areas. Throughout the district, dry and hot conditions continued to reduce soil moisture supplies. Crop stress due to lack of moisture was also observed. Winter wheat harvest began in some localities and concerns due to low test weights and protein content were noted. Reports also noted damage to rangeland from large numbers of grasshoppers.

East central counties received good moisture in areas and the rain was enough to briefly stop wheat harvest in some localities. Overall, conditions remained very dry and pasture condition declined in areas that have not received moisture.

In southwestern counties, crops were advancing quickly but minimal moisture was received last week.

In the San Luis Valley, isolated moisture was received but did not amount to much. Potatoes and barley were notably in good condition, but pasture and rangeland condition was deteriorating due to lack of moisture. Reports noted some irrigation ditches were turned off earlier than normal. Low temperatures were reported the morning of July 1, causing concern for light frost damage.

In southeastern counties, good moisture was received in areas. Isolated and damaging hail was also reported. Storm events were significant enough to stall alfalfa and wheat harvest in areas.

Stored feed supplies were rated 2 percent very short, 19 percent short, 76 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 65 percent average and 35 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 78 percent average and 22 percent light.

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Alfalfa hay 

    

1st cutting harvested 

93 

89 

92 

94 

2nd cutting harvested 

13 

14 

16 

Barley 

    

Headed 

83 

62 

66 

79 

Turning color 

11 

Corn 

    

Silked 

-- 

Dry edible beans 

    

Emerged 

92 

75 

79 

NA 

Blooming 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Sorghum 

    

Emerged 

89 

77 

82 

NA 

Sunflowers 

    

Planted 

97 

94 

91 

94 

Winter wheat 

    

Turning color 

97 

92 

81 

NA 

Mature 

74 

43 

42 

62 

Harvested 

36 

15 

20 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

6.1 

6.6 

6.0 

6.3 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

Very short 

23 

28 

Short 

33 

41 

12 

20 

Adequate 

44 

31 

80 

68 

Surplus. 

-- 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

27 

27 

Short 

39 

43 

18 

19 

Adequate 

34 

30 

76 

72 

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 

11 

Fair 

28 

27 

20 

Good 

46 

52 

69 

57 

Excellent 

17 

14 

Barley 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

12 

Fair 

23 

24 

29 

23 

Good 

50 

51 

45 

51 

Excellent 

24 

20 

10 

22 

Corn 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

11 

14 

Fair 

29 

39 

14 

17 

Good 

48 

40 

67 

64 

Excellent 

18 

13 

Dry edible beans 

    

Very poor 

17 

-- 

Poor 

19 

14 

Fair 

29 

32 

32 

23 

Good 

29 

37 

53 

59 

Excellent 

Onions 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

Fair 

29 

27 

17 

Good 

60 

63 

88 

70 

Excellent 

10 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

24 

21 

Poor 

17 

18 

11 

Fair 

33 

33 

18 

23 

Good 

26 

28 

60 

50 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

17 

10 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

10 

Fair 

12 

18 

30 

20 

Good 

59 

55 

40 

53 

Excellent 

27 

24 

20 

23 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

20 

21 

18 

Good 

63 

63 

65 

76 

Excellent 

12 

11 

15 

14 

Sorghum 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

16 

Fair 

34 

53 

12 

23 

Good 

39 

36 

74 

66 

Excellent 

12 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

10 

Fair 

26 

25 

17 

15 

Good 

48 

49 

65 

65 

Excellent 

13 

14 

17 

17 

Sunflowers 

    

Very poor 

-- 

NA 

Poor 

12 

12 

-- 

NA 

Fair 

47 

41 

16 

NA 

Good 

35 

43 

76 

NA 

Excellent 

NA 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

19 

18 

Poor 

20 

21 

11 

Fair 

38 

31 

15 

28 

Good 

20 

27 

47 

44 

Excellent 

34 

14 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

20 

19 

12 

12 

Good 

65 

69 

67 

73 

Excellent 

19 

14