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Person standing in a wheat field using a tablet device with agriculture icons imposed

Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending October 18, 2020

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Harvest continued ahead of average for most crops last week, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Conditions remained very dry. According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report, the entire state was experiencing moderate to exceptional drought conditions. Over 59 percent of the state was rated in extreme to exceptional drought. Extreme wildfire activity due to warm temperatures and wind continued in northwestern counties, although small amounts of precipitation were received.

In northeastern counties, corn for grain harvest was fully underway. Sugarbeet harvest continued and the fourth cutting of alfalfa neared completion. Winter wheat seeding also continued but emergence in areas was mixed due to very dry conditions. Livestock producers continued to provide supplemental feed in response to drought and feed supplies were limited.

In east central counties, a prior high wind event caused newly seeded wheat fields to blow severely. A county report noted producers expect to chisel fields in response. No moisture was received last week. Sorghum harvest was also underway. Harvest of other non-irrigated spring crops such as sunflowers and corn was limited in areas due to damage from extreme drought.

In southwestern counties, dry bean harvest was virtually complete and the forth cutting of alfalfa continued. Exceptional drought conditions remained with little relief.

Southeastern counties experienced freezing temperatures and windy weather last week. A county report noted calves were being marketed earlier than normal due to lack of available native grass.

Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 11 percent very short, 27 percent short, 57 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 66 percent average and 34 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 81 percent average and 19 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 

59 

63 

62 

Corn 

    

Mature 

96 

90 

92 

89 

Harvested for grain 

53 

42 

36 

29 

Dry edible beans 

    

Cut 

97 

94 

95 

NA 

Harvested 

78 

58 

71 

85 

Onions 

    

Harvested 

93 

89 

92 

NA 

Proso Millet 

    

Harvested 

94 

82 

96 

NA 

Sorghum 

    

Mature 

92 

85 

91 

84 

Harvested 

43 

23 

46 

30 

Sugarbeets 

    

Harvested 

68 

51 

60 

38 

Sunflowers 

    

Harvested 

68 

39 

51 

28 

Winter wheat 

    

Planted 

98 

94 

95 

93 

Emerged 

68 

56 

69 

67 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

6.7 

6.8 

6.5 

6.5 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

52 

46 

16 

Short 

33 

41 

33 

27 

Adequate 

15 

13 

51 

63 

Surplus 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

50 

41 

12 

10 

Short 

35 

45 

29 

28 

Adequate 

15 

14 

56 

61 

Surplus 

-- 

-- 

CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION

Commodity 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Corn 

    

Very poor 

26 

15 

Poor 

22 

25 

Fair 

28 

32 

27 

22 

Good 

20 

24 

56 

58 

Excellent 

14 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

36 

33 

Poor 

30 

29 

14 

Fair 

26 

30 

26 

25 

Good 

60 

46 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

Sorghum 

    

Very poor 

15 

Poor 

20 

18 

Fair 

49 

58 

27 

24 

Good 

13 

16 

62 

58 

Excellent 

10 

Sunflowers 

    

Very poor 

11 

-- 

Poor 

21 

10 

Fair 

53 

77 

18 

24 

Good 

15 

12 

76 

62 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

11 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

21 

NA 

Poor 

25 

NA 

10 

10 

Fair 

36 

NA 

22 

31 

Good 

17 

NA 

47 

46 

Excellent 

NA 

20 

11 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

Fair 

25 

29 

10 

13 

Good 

58 

59 

74 

74 

Excellent 

12 

10