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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending June 7, 2020

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Continued hot and dry weather pushed spring crop development but furthered concerns for moisture needs going forward, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Northwestern counties received isolated moisture last week which benefitted pasture conditions. Pasture conditions remained mostly fair to good in areas that have received more consistent moisture.

In northeastern counties, continued hot and windy conditions depleted soil moisture supplies and blowing topsoil was a concern in areas. Elevated fire danger was noted. Isolated severe weather was reported over the weekend. Crop producers were quickly moving to irrigate spring crops which showed signs of stress due to lack of precipitation. Wheat producers noted increased crop stress due to unfavorable weather and more acreage was close to failure. Concern was high for viability of non-irrigated spring crops unless moisture is received. County reports noted some producers were unable to plant spring crops as previously planned due to no received moisture. Pasture conditions also continued to deteriorate, and livestock producers were seeking alternative grazing arrangements.

In east central counties, hot and dry weather prevailed, and concerns were high for irrigated and non-irrigated crop conditions along with pasture. Isolated severe weather was noted in the district with portions of eastern Yuma county receiving damaging hail.

In western counties, severe weather produced very high winds and brought needed moisture to some localities.

The San Luis Valley received welcome rain late in the week, benefitting native pastureland. Potatoes were emerging well, but a report noted barley growth was uneven in areas.

In southeastern counties, scattered showers last week did not produce a lot of moisture. Reports noted livestock producers continued to provide supplemental feeding due to dry conditions and limited pasture growth. Producers were beginning to sell cattle in response to the drought. A county report noted irrigation canal water flow picked up a bit due to late snow melt, but concerns remained due to overall snowpack shortages.

Stored feed supplies were rated 5 percent very short, 17 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 55 percent average and 45 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 80 percent average and 20 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 

44 

25 

32 

30 

Corn 

    

Emerged 

95 

84 

63 

78 

Dry edible beans 

    

Planted 

56 

31 

11 

32 

Emerged 

17 

12 

Onions 

    

Planted 

95 

92 

NA 

NA 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Emerged 

60 

43 

33 

37 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Emerged 

93 

81 

80 

87 

Proso Millet 

    

Planted 

79 

46 

47 

NA 

Sorghum 

    

Planted 

56 

42 

52 

47 

Emerged 

20 

11 

13 

18 

Sugarbeets 

    

Emerged 

93 

74 

89 

NA 

Sunflowers 

    

Planted 

51 

40 

27 

23 

Winter wheat 

    

Headed 

86 

67 

79 

89 

Turning color 

10 

14 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

6.6 

6.8 

5.6 

5.8 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

23 

22 

Short 

40 

41 

13 

Adequate 

37 

36 

86 

74 

Surplus 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

22 

21 

Short 

34 

34 

11 

13 

Adequate 

44 

45 

83 

78 

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 

10 

Fair 

28 

25 

23 

Good 

48 

55 

63 

55 

Excellent 

20 

14 

Barley 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

28 

23 

17 

20 

Good 

51 

47 

60 

56 

Excellent 

20 

24 

21 

23 

Corn 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

36 

38 

27 

20 

Good 

43 

44 

63 

70 

Excellent 

Onions 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

Fair 

27 

26 

13 

21 

Good 

62 

60 

82 

65 

Excellent 

10 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

23 

19 

Poor 

16 

16 

10 

Fair 

29 

33 

15 

20 

Good 

32 

32 

71 

54 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

11 

11 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Poor 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Fair 

25 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Good 

45 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Excellent 

25 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

21 

21 

17 

11 

Good 

62 

62 

64 

71 

Excellent 

12 

11 

17 

17 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

28 

30 

33 

21 

Good 

51 

51 

52 

63 

Excellent 

13 

13 

13 

15 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

17 

20 

Poor 

21 

21 

11 

Fair 

30 

28 

16 

25 

Good 

30 

29 

59 

46 

Excellent 

21 

14 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

22 

20 

16 

13 

Good 

62 

65 

68 

72 

Excellent 

10 

10 

12 

13