Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending November 3, 2019
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 | 8 | 8 |
Short | 31 | 36 | 20 | 28 |
Adequate | 52 | 45 | 67 | 62 |
Surplus. | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
Subsoil moisture | ||||
Very short | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 |
Short | 32 | 36 | 31 | 30 |
Adequate | 52 | 50 | 54 | 58 |
Surplus. | 1 | -- | 3 | 1 |
CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION | ||||
Commodity | Current week | Previous week | Previous year | 5-year average |
(percent) | (percent) | (percent) | (percent) | |
Corn | ||||
Very poor | 3 | 3 | NA | NA |
Poor | 11 | 8 | NA | NA |
Fair | 30 | 27 | NA | NA |
Good | 49 | 54 | NA | NA |
Excellent | 7 | 8 | NA | NA |
Pasture and range | ||||
Very poor | 4 | 4 | 32 | 9 |
Poor | 12 | 9 | 30 | 19 |
Fair | 31 | 31 | 15 | 26 |
Good | 49 | 51 | 20 | 38 |
Excellent | 4 | 5 | 3 | 8 |
Winter wheat | ||||
Very poor | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
Poor | 9 | 12 | 7 | 7 |
Fair | 23 | 25 | 32 | 36 |
Good | 48 | 41 | 49 | 46 |
Excellent | 17 | 18 | 11 | 10 |
Livestock | ||||
Very poor | 1 | 1 | 2 | -- |
Poor | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Fair | 10 | 11 | 18 | 14 |
Good | 74 | 73 | 69 | 74 |
Excellent | 12 | 12 | 8 | 10 |