Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending October 17, 2021
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. | -- | -- | -- | 1 |
Subsoil moisture | ||||
Very short | 40 | 34 | 50 | 18 |
Short | 28 | 38 | 35 | 28 |
Adequate | 32 | 28 | 15 | 53 |
Surplus. | -- | -- | -- | 1 |
CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION | ||||
Commodity | Current week | Previous week | Previous year | 5-year average |
(percent) | (percent) | (percent) | (percent) | |
Corn | ||||
Very poor | 7 | 10 | 26 | 7 |
Poor | 19 | 15 | 22 | 9 |
Fair | 18 | 20 | 28 | 22 |
Good | 43 | 44 | 20 | 50 |
Excellent | 13 | 11 | 4 | 12 |
Pasture and range | ||||
Very poor | 23 | 17 | 36 | 14 |
Poor | 25 | 21 | 30 | 16 |
Fair | 23 | 27 | 26 | 25 |
Good | 16 | 22 | 8 | 39 |
Excellent | 13 | 13 | -- | 6 |
Sorghum | ||||
Very poor | 11 | 8 | 15 | 6 |
Poor | 15 | 12 | 20 | 8 |
Fair | 20 | 21 | 49 | 29 |
Good | 39 | 41 | 13 | 47 |
Excellent | 15 | 18 | 3 | 10 |
Sunflowers | ||||
Very poor | 1 | -- | 11 | 3 |
Poor | 9 | 8 | 21 | 6 |
Fair | 39 | 30 | 53 | 28 |
Good | 41 | 55 | 15 | 54 |
Excellent | 10 | 7 | -- | 9 |
Winter wheat | ||||
Very poor | 3 | NA | 21 | 6 |
Poor | 16 | NA | 25 | 11 |
Fair | 31 | NA | 36 | 29 |
Good | 37 | NA | 17 | 43 |
Excellent | 13 | NA | 1 | 11 |
Livestock | ||||
Very poor | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
Poor | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 |
Fair | 23 | 20 | 25 | 15 |
Good | 49 | 53 | 58 | 71 |
Excellent | 19 | 18 | 8 | 10 |
