Image
Person in a green field with agriculture icon imposed

Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending November 14, 2021

© iStock - William_Potter

Another dry 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 high country.

In northeastern and east central counties, corn and sorghum harvest was nearly complete and sunflower harvest progressed quickly from last week. Only a light dusting of isolated moisture was reported. Spotty emergence of winter wheat remained a primary concern due to dry conditions. Stand quality varied throughout the districts. High winds were noted. Pasture and range conditions continued to deteriorate due to lack of moisture. Livestock producers continued moving stock to graze post-harvest residues where available. Other noted concerns were increased fuel and input prices going forward.

Southwestern counties saw little moisture and daytime temperatures remained warm. Corn harvest neared completion in the area. In the San Luis Valley, conditions remained very dry. County reports noted livestock were in good condition.

In southeastern counties, reports noted increased incidence of sick calves due to dry and dusty conditions.

Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 15 percent very short, 26 percent short, 50 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 83 percent average and 17 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 62 percent average and 38 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 

94 

NA 

NA 

Corn 

    

Harvested for grain 

94 

85 

96 

87 

Sorghum 

    

Harvested 

97 

90 

95 

84 

Sunflowers 

    

Harvested 

82 

61 

98 

84 

Winter wheat 

    

Emerged 

89 

84 

92 

94 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

6.8 

6.8 

6.3 

5.9 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

35 

33 

45 

17 

Short 

40 

32 

37 

27 

Adequate 

25 

35 

18 

55 

Surplus. 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

38 

33 

40 

15 

Short 

36 

32 

42 

31 

Adequate 

26 

35 

18 

53 

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 

27 

19 

38 

14 

Poor 

19 

24 

29 

17 

Fair 

18 

27 

25 

28 

Good 

16 

19 

36 

Excellent 

20 

11 

-- 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

10 

12 

12 

Poor 

17 

20 

20 

Fair 

32 

33 

43 

33 

Good 

33 

27 

24 

44 

Excellent 

10 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

10 

Fair 

22 

25 

38 

16 

Good 

41 

44 

47 

71 

Excellent 

21 

16