Image
PROMO 64J1 Agriculture - Statistics Stats Farmer Field Technology - iStock - William_Potter

Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending March 13, 2022

© iStock - William_Potter

Minimal moisture and windy conditions were observed throughout the state, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 92 percent of the state is under drought conditions. Fifty-seven percent of the state is experiencing severe to exceptional drought conditions, with 6 percent facing exceptional drought conditions.

Calving and lambing progressed ahead of the previous year. Northeastern counties remain dry, with most of the district in a severe drought. Concerns remained regarding lack of consistent moisture up to this week.

East central counties have received good moisture, benefiting winter wheat and soil moisture ahead of spring planting, but subsoil levels are still short.

In the San Luis Valley, limited fieldwork began around winter weather events. Producers noted it’s too early to begin planting with current soil conditions and temperatures.

In southeastern counties, conditions remain very dry despite some recent moisture events. In southwestern counties, topsoil moisture was rejuvenated from recent snow, but crop and pasture conditions still reflect the water shortage.

As of March 13, 2022, snowpack in Colorado was 98 percent measured as percent of median snowfall. The Southwest and San Luis Valley were 105 and 98 percent, respectively.

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current week

Previous report

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Winter wheat 

    

Pastured 

NA 

NA 

Cattle and calves 

    

Cows calved 

41 

17 

NA 

NA 

Sheep and lambs 

    

Ewes lambed 

36 

10 

NA 

NA 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous report

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

2.8 

NA 

5.3 

NA 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

Very short 

18 

26 

25 

NA 

Short 

38 

39 

31 

NA 

Adequate 

43 

34 

44 

NA 

Surplus 

-- 

NA 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

26 

32 

32 

NA 

Short 

45 

32 

42 

NA 

Adequate 

29 

36 

26 

NA 

Surplus 

-- 

-- 

-- 

NA 

CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION

Commodity

Current week

Previous report

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

19 

27 

NA 

Poor 

25 

17 

30 

NA 

Fair 

40 

47 

31 

NA 

Good 

13 

23 

11 

NA 

Excellent 

NA 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

15 

17 

19 

NA 

Poor 

25 

23 

17 

NA 

Fair 

42 

39 

39 

NA 

Good 

18 

20 

22 

NA 

Excellent 

-- 

NA 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

NA 

Poor 

NA 

Fair 

18 

18 

34 

NA 

Good 

66 

64 

48 

NA 

Excellent 

11 

NA