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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 March 14, 2021

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A significant spring storm brought feet of snow to some areas, good rain to others, and improved soil moisture supplies, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Heaviest amounts were reported in northern and eastern counties as well as the high country. In northeastern counties, producers were carrying out pre-planting fieldwork activities before the storm arrived. Calving and lambing progressed but were adversely impacted by heavy snow in areas. Concerns remained regarding lack of consistent moisture up to this week. A county report noted livestock producers were culling more stock than normal in response to continued drought.

East central counties also received good moisture over the weekend, benefiting winter wheat and soil moisture ahead of spring planting. Winter weather in the area harmed newborn livestock and shortened feed supplies.

In the San Luis Valley, limited fieldwork began around winter weather events. Producers noted soils were drier than normal, but received moisture was beneficial.

Southeastern counties received mostly rain and some snow over the weekend. A county report noted recent moisture benefitted emerging winter wheat, but was notably behind due to prior dry conditions. Local feed supplies were notably short. High winds were also reported.

As of March 12, 2021, snowpack in Colorado was 85 percent measured as percent of median snowfall. The Southwest and San Luis Valley were 78 and 99 percent, respectively.

Stored feed supplies were rated 12 percent very short, 21 percent short, and 67 percent adequate.

Sheep death loss was 1 percent heavy, 96 percent average, and 3 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 7 percent heavy, 67 percent average, and 26 percent light.

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current report

Previous report

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Winter wheat 

    

Pastured 

NA 

NA 

Cattle and calves 

    

Cows calved 

35 

32 

NA 

Sheep and lambs 

    

Ewes lambed 

30 

11 

22 

NA 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current report

Previous report

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

5.3 

NA 

4.9 

NA 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

Very short 

25 

34 

11 

NA 

Short 

31 

39 

41 

NA 

Adequate 

44 

27 

48 

NA 

Surplus. 

-- 

-- 

-- 

NA 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

32 

37 

NA 

Short 

42 

43 

30 

NA 

Adequate 

26 

20 

61 

NA 

Surplus. 

-- 

-- 

-- 

NA 

CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION

Commodity

Current report

Previous report

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

27 

38 

10 

NA 

Poor 

30 

29 

12 

NA 

Fair 

31 

24 

47 

NA 

Good 

11 

28 

NA 

Excellent 

-- 

NA 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

19 

15 

10 

NA 

Poor 

17 

14 

11 

NA 

Fair 

39 

52 

33 

NA 

Good 

22 

17 

43 

NA 

Excellent 

NA 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

NA 

Poor 

NA 

Fair 

34 

41 

32 

NA 

Good 

48 

42 

52 

NA 

Excellent 

NA