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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending October 10, 2021

© iStock - William_Potter

Harvest activities made good progress where conditions allowed and precipitation remained confined to western counties, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

In northwestern counties, alfalfa hay harvest was complete, and moisture was received last week. Feed supplies remained short.

In northeastern and east central counties, a dry week allowed good harvest progress. Limited irrigated corn harvest began. Seeding of winter wheat was nearly complete in areas, but uneven emergence remained a primary concern due to dry topsoil. Livestock producers continued weaning activities. Supplemental feed was being provided in areas due to poor pasture conditions.

Southwestern counties received precipitation last week that caused delays to hay harvest.

In the San Luis Valley, light snowfall was noted at the end of the week. Potato harvest made good progress prior to the weather and several producers were finished.

In southeastern counties, corn harvest progressed well last week. Conditions remained dry. County reports noted some irrigated wheat is not expected to emerge due to limited irrigation water supplies.

Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 1 percent very short, 14 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 15 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 82 percent average and 18 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 56 percent average and 44 percent light.

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Alfalfa hay 

    

3rd cutting harvested 

97 

92 

NA 

NA 

4th cutting harvested 

55 

40 

57 

53 

Corn 

    

Mature 

85 

67 

87 

77 

Harvested for grain 

34 

22 

40 

24 

Dry edible beans 

    

Cut 

93 

86 

92 

NA 

Harvested 

55 

42 

55 

69 

Onions 

    

Harvested 

99 

93 

86 

NA 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Harvested 

87 

59 

95 

84 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Harvested 

98 

88 

94 

NA 

Proso millet 

    

Harvested 

95 

88 

81 

NA 

Sorghum 

    

Mature 

84 

73 

81 

67 

Harvested 

35 

14 

22 

18 

Sugarbeets 

    

Harvested 

61 

40 

50 

28 

Sunflowers 

    

Harvested 

19 

-- 

35 

14 

Winter wheat 

    

Planted 

88 

77 

93 

84 

Emerged 

47 

37 

53 

55 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

6.9 

6.7 

6.8 

5.8 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

32 

29 

46 

15 

Short 

38 

41 

41 

28 

Adequate 

30 

30 

13 

56 

Surplus. 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

34 

33 

41 

15 

Short 

38 

35 

45 

29 

Adequate 

28 

32 

14 

54 

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 

10 

13 

NA 

Fair 

22 

24 

23 

NA 

Good 

56 

54 

49 

NA 

Excellent 

NA 

Corn 

    

Very poor 

10 

13 

15 

Poor 

15 

17 

25 

Fair 

20 

20 

32 

24 

Good 

44 

42 

24 

52 

Excellent 

11 

11 

Dry edible beans 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

NA 

Poor 

10 

10 

29 

NA 

Fair 

40 

40 

37 

NA 

Good 

33 

33 

31 

NA 

Excellent 

17 

17 

NA 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

17 

15 

33 

13 

Poor 

21 

23 

29 

15 

Fair 

27 

26 

30 

27 

Good 

22 

24 

39 

Excellent 

13 

12 

-- 

Sorghum 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

12 

11 

18 

Fair 

21 

19 

58 

30 

Good 

41 

47 

16 

52 

Excellent 

18 

15 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

25 

25 

37 

20 

Good 

50 

50 

43 

59 

Excellent 

25 

25 

15 

Sunflowers 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

10 

Fair 

30 

33 

77 

33 

Good 

55 

50 

12 

54 

Excellent 

-- 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

Fair 

20 

24 

29 

15 

Good 

53 

53 

59 

72 

Excellent 

18 

13 

10