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Person standing in a wheat field using a tablet device with agriculture icons imposed

Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending June 30, 2019

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Hot temperatures and mostly dry weather allowed fieldwork to continue and helped advance winter wheat maturity last week, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. 

Northeastern county reporters noted isolated precipitation was heavy enough in areas to briefly reduce fieldwork. Hot temperatures promoted crop growth and emergence previously slowed by cool temperatures. Winter wheat starting to mature was aided by the warm weather. Livestock were reportedly in good condition, benefitting from better than average pasture and rangeland conditions.

In east central counties, reporters noted hot and windy conditions quickly advanced winter wheat maturity with producers looking forward to the start of harvest. Most spring planting activities were nearing completion. 

In the San Luis Valley, alfalfa hay harvest continued last week. Reporters noted warm temperatures helped advance crop development, although potatoes remained behind average. 

In southeastern counties, producers continued to assess crop damage due to severe weather and hail. Hot temperatures pushed winter wheat maturity and harvest started in a few areas last week. Alfalfa harvest picked up with dry weather allowing more producers to bale. 

Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 3 percent very short, 21 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus. 

Sheep death loss was 3 percent heavy, 75 percent average, and 22 percent light. 

Cattle death loss was 1 percent heavy, 77 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 

85 

69 

90 

88 

2nd cutting harvested 

NA 

Barley 

    

Headed 

44 

16 

73 

63 

Turning color 

NA 

Corn 

    

Emerged 

99 

93 

100 

100 

Dry edible beans 

    

Planted 

80 

54 

94 

NA 

Emerged 

54 

20 

79 

80 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Emerged 

98 

90 

NA 

NA 

Proso millet 

    

Planted 

94 

82 

NA 

NA 

Sorghum 

    

Planted 

94 

90 

99 

98 

Emerged 

74 

58 

90 

83 

Sunflowers 

    

Planted 

87 

71 

93 

89 

Winter wheat 

    

Turning color 

70 

44 

93 

91 

Mature 

21 

57 

46 

Harvested 

-- 

19 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

6.4 

4.6 

6.2 

6.2 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

Very short 

18 

Short 

22 

22 

Adequate 

81 

84 

56 

66 

Surplus. 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

16 

10 

Short 

12 

11 

23 

20 

Adequate 

79 

81 

61 

68 

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 

15 

Fair 

10 

33 

26 

Good 

72 

68 

37 

52 

Excellent 

13 

14 

13 

Barley 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

18 

19 

40 

21 

Good 

58 

49 

42 

53 

Excellent 

20 

28 

18 

26 

Corn 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

19 

27 

17 

19 

Good 

69 

63 

67 

61 

Excellent 

11 

15 

Onions 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

40 

20 

Good 

94 

88 

55 

64 

Excellent 

13 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

21 

Poor 

30 

15 

Fair 

16 

19 

24 

24 

Good 

63 

58 

23 

45 

Excellent 

17 

19 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

23 

25 

20 

22 

Good 

56 

51 

45 

51 

Excellent 

18 

19 

30 

22 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

19 

17 

11 

Good 

70 

73 

65 

71 

Excellent 

21 

17 

Sorghum 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

Fair 

23 

22 

13 

30 

Good 

59 

67 

77 

61 

Excellent 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

Fair 

26 

28 

26 

17 

Good 

62 

59 

54 

62 

Excellent 

12 

12 

12 

17 

Sunflowers 

    

Very poor 

-- 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Poor 

-- 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Fair 

13 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Good 

83 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Excellent 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

18 

14 

Fair 

17 

16 

29 

28 

Good 

52 

51 

41 

39 

Excellent 

26 

29 

11 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

15 

21 

20 

16 

Good 

69 

61 

66 

70 

Excellent 

13 

13 

12