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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending November 3, 2019

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Widespread snow and extreme cold last week halted fieldwork, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Harvest of row crops continued where conditions allowed. In northeastern and east central counties, harvest progress was slow but neared completion in some localities. Snow accumulation from early week storms totaled several inches in areas. The moisture was very welcome. Livestock producers continued weaning and selling calves, but field availability of post-harvest crop residue for grazing was limited.

In southwestern counties, limited moisture was received, and severe drought continued. A county reporter noted dry conditions hindered winter wheat germination in the area.

Areas in the San Luis Valley received light snow last week, but overall soil moisture supplies remained short. Livestock and pasture conditions reportedly remained in good shape.

In southeastern counties, freezing rain, extreme cold, and several inches of snow stopped harvest activities last week.

Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 1 percent very short, 3 percent short, 85 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 2 percent heavy, 82 percent average, and 16 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 83 percent average and 17 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 

71 

69 

76 

86 

Corn 

    

Harvested for grain 

66 

56 

63 

60 

Dry edible beans 

    

Harvested 

95 

88 

NA 

NA 

Sorghum 

    

Harvested 

80 

72 

46 

57 

Sugarbeets 

    

Harvested 

88 

80 

82 

75 

Sunflowers 

    

Harvested 

78 

72 

42 

58 

Winter wheat 

    

Emerged 

85 

79 

90 

92 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

3.7 

6.2 

5.8 

6.2 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

Very short 

16 

18 

Short 

31 

36 

20 

28 

Adequate 

52 

45 

67 

62 

Surplus. 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

15 

14 

12 

11 

Short 

32 

36 

31 

30 

Adequate 

52 

50 

54 

58 

Surplus. 

-- 

CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Corn 

    

Very poor 

NA 

NA 

Poor 

11 

NA 

NA 

Fair 

30 

27 

NA 

NA 

Good 

49 

54 

NA 

NA 

Excellent 

NA 

NA 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

32 

Poor 

12 

30 

19 

Fair 

31 

31 

15 

26 

Good 

49 

51 

20 

38 

Excellent 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

12 

Fair 

23 

25 

32 

36 

Good 

48 

41 

49 

46 

Excellent 

17 

18 

11 

10 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

10 

11 

18 

14 

Good 

74 

73 

69 

74 

Excellent 

12 

12 

10