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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending October 17, 2021

© iStock - William_Potter

Harvest activities continued last week where conditions allowed and eastern districts received limited moisture, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report, more eastern localities were experiencing moderate to extreme drought conditions compared to the prior report.

In northeastern and east central counties, harvest activities continued without delay. Corn harvest was fully underway. Temperatures were below freezing a few nights. Winter wheat seeding continued in a few areas but was close to completion. Emergence and stand quality remained a primary concern for producers due to dry conditions. Livestock producers continued weaning activities. Supplemental feed was being provided in areas due to poor pasture conditions.

In southwestern counties, storms brought good moisture to areas. Some frost was noted, and snow fell in the mountains. County reports noted dry bean harvest was delayed due to moisture.

In the San Luis Valley, potato harvest was nearly complete. However, remaining progress was delayed due to frost and temperatures were cold enough to damage unharvested potatoes.

In southeastern counties, light frost was observed last week. Isolated rain and hail were also noted.

Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 2 percent very short, 14 percent short, 66 percent adequate, and 18 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 80 percent average and 20 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 52 percent average and 48 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 

75 

55 

73 

64 

Corn 

    

Mature 

91 

85 

95 

88 

Harvested for grain 

45 

34 

51 

33 

Dry edible beans 

    

Cut 

95 

93 

97 

NA 

Harvested 

67 

55 

75 

83 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Harvested 

99 

87 

NA 

NA 

Sorghum 

    

Mature 

95 

84 

91 

83 

Harvested 

42 

35 

40 

29 

Sugarbeets 

    

Harvested 

77 

61 

66 

40 

Sunflowers 

    

Harvested 

30 

19 

64 

29 

Winter wheat 

    

Planted 

92 

88 

97 

93 

Emerged 

58 

47 

66 

67 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork

6.5

6.9

6.7

6.4

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

41 

32 

52 

17 

Short 

29 

38 

33 

26 

Adequate 

30 

30 

15 

56 

Surplus. 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

40 

34 

50 

18 

Short 

28 

38 

35 

28 

Adequate 

32 

28 

15 

53 

Surplus. 

-- 

-- 

-- 

CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Corn 

    

Very poor 

10 

26 

Poor 

19 

15 

22 

Fair 

18 

20 

28 

22 

Good 

43 

44 

20 

50 

Excellent 

13 

11 

12 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

23 

17 

36 

14 

Poor 

25 

21 

30 

16 

Fair 

23 

27 

26 

25 

Good 

16 

22 

39 

Excellent 

13 

13 

-- 

Sorghum 

    

Very poor 

11 

15 

Poor 

15 

12 

20 

Fair 

20 

21 

49 

29 

Good 

39 

41 

13 

47 

Excellent 

15 

18 

10 

Sunflowers 

    

Very poor 

-- 

11 

Poor 

21 

Fair 

39 

30 

53 

28 

Good 

41 

55 

15 

54 

Excellent 

10 

-- 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

NA 

21 

Poor 

16 

NA 

25 

11 

Fair 

31 

NA 

36 

29 

Good 

37 

NA 

17 

43 

Excellent 

13 

NA 

11 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

Fair 

23 

20 

25 

15 

Good 

49 

53 

58 

71 

Excellent 

19 

18 

10