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

© iStock - William_Potter

A primarily dry, cool week allowed harvest and fieldwork to continue, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Statewide, soil moisture supplies declined, and precipitation was mainly confined to the northwestern portion of the State. According to the United States Drought Monitor for November 8, just under 47 percent of the State was categorized in moderate drought or worse, up slightly from the previous week. Slightly more than 23 percent of the State is experiencing severe to exceptional drought conditions, up 9 percentage points from last week. The exceptional drought conditions noted across portions of Phillips and Sedgwick Counties remain unchanged from last week, accounting for less than one percent of the State.

Cooler than average temperatures were seen across most of the State, with the northeastern corner experiencing temperatures more than six degrees below average. The average maximum temperature reached above 60 degrees in the southeastern portion of the State, while lows in the teens were seen in the mountains.

Sunflower harvest progressed well last week in eastern Colorado, but still trails the average harvest pace of 81 percent complete.

Frozen ground on the western slopes and in the San Luis Valley has halted most field work.

Fourth cutting of alfalfa and sugarbeet harvest is virtually complete across the State.

Statewide, emergence of the 2023 winter wheat crop was almost complete, with 97 percent of the crop emerged, compared with last year at 88 percent and the 5- year average of 92 percent.

Corn for grain harvest made significant progress last week, but still fell short of the previous year at 93 percent and the 5-year average of 86 percent.

Livestock remained in mostly good condition.

Stored feed supplies were rated 21 percent very short, 35 percent short, 43 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 85 percent average and 15 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 84 percent average and 16 percent light.

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Alfalfa Hay 

    

4th cutting harvested 

96 

90 

96 

NA 

Corn 

    

Harvested for grain 

84 

65 

93 

86 

Sorghum 

    

Harvested 

90 

79 

96 

84 

Sugarbeets 

    

Harvested 

95 

80 

NA 

NA 

Sunflowers 

    

Harvested 

73 

53 

79 

81 

Winter wheat 

    

Emerged 

97 

85 

88 

92 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

6.5 

6.4 

6.8 

6.1 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

29 

26 

35 

20 

Short 

44 

44 

40 

27 

Adequate 

27 

29 

25 

52 

Surplus 

-- 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

35 

35 

38 

19 

Short 

45 

39 

36 

29 

Adequate 

20 

26 

26 

51 

Surplus 

-- 

-- 

-- 

CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

18 

27 

18 

Poor 

23 

19 

19 

18 

Fair 

27 

22 

18 

25 

Good 

37 

37 

16 

31 

Excellent 

20 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

18 

19 

10 

Poor 

27 

25 

17 

10 

Fair 

34 

34 

32 

32 

Good 

20 

21 

33 

43 

Excellent 

10 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

10 

Fair 

18 

22 

18 

Good 

65 

63 

41 

65 

Excellent 

12 

12 

21 

11