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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending May 17, 2020

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Late week storms brought needed moisture to a few areas last week, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. Despite moisture, overall conditions remained dry and winter wheat continued to experience a decline in condition, with 28 percent rated good to excellent compared to 74 percent good to excellent last year and 58 percent good to excellent on average.

Northeastern counties received isolated moisture and warmer temperatures were beneficial for crop growth and emergence, specifically for corn. Isolated and damaging hail was reported near the localities of Fort Lupton and Sterling. Producers in the area continued to seed spring crops and reports noted first cutting of alfalfa was expected to begin soon. Winter wheat in the district benefited from received moisture, but in areas that remained dry, concerns were noted for the future of the crop.

East central counties received good moisture in areas last week although warm and windy conditions were also noted. More moisture is greatly needed, and pasture growth continued to be limited.

In the San Luis Valley, another dry week was reported. Potato planting continued to advance quickly, and conditions were ideal for irrigated crop growth and emergence. Rangeland in the area was feeling the effects of exceptionally dry conditions. Livestock producers continued to provide supplemental feed and supplies were a little short.

In southeastern counties, isolated moisture was received and first cutting of alfalfa began. Irrigation water supplies were noted as slow.

As of May 15, 2020, snowpack in Colorado was 66 percent measured as percent of median snowfall. The Southwest and San Luis Valley were 28 percent and 22 percent, respectively.

Stored feed supplies were rated 4 percent very short, 15 percent short, 79 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 42 percent average and 58 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 70 percent average and 30 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 

-- 

NA 

Barley 

    

Emerged 

92 

80 

83 

80 

Corn 

    

Planted 

79 

51 

56 

60 

Emerged 

30 

11 

20 

Dry edible beans 

    

Planted 

-- 

Onions 

    

Planted 

65 

52 

77 

NA 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Planted 

87 

80 

71 

70 

Emerged 

-- 

NA 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Planted 

78 

54 

74 

84 

Emerged 

23 

26 

36 

Proso Millet 

    

Planted 

16 

15 

NA 

Sorghum 

    

Planted 

20 

18 

Sugarbeets 

    

Planted 

73 

55 

94 

93 

Emerged 

30 

10 

51 

56 

Sunflowers 

    

Planted 

18 

16 

-- 

Winter wheat 

    

Jointed 

77 

64 

86 

88 

Headed 

22 

11 

15 

28 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

6.0 

6.5 

6.2 

4.7 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

Very short 

22 

20 

Short 

37 

32 

12 

13 

Adequate 

40 

48 

82 

75 

Surplus 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

22 

16 

Short 

29 

27 

13 

16 

Adequate 

48 

57 

82 

75 

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 

NA 

Poor 

10 

NA 

Fair 

25 

22 

13 

NA 

Good 

51 

58 

66 

NA 

Excellent 

13 

NA 

Barley 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

19 

18 

21 

20 

Good 

51 

57 

57 

60 

Excellent 

29 

24 

22 

20 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

19 

14 

Poor 

13 

15 

11 

Fair 

30 

30 

24 

25 

Good 

38 

41 

60 

52 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

22 

19 

Poor 

22 

19 

10 

Fair 

28 

27 

22 

29 

Good 

26 

33 

58 

48 

Excellent 

16 

10 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

20 

20 

21 

16 

Good 

66 

67 

62 

71 

Excellent 

10 

10