Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending October 7, 2018

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Widespread moisture received across the state last week brought welcome relief to areas suffering from drought but delayed fieldwork, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

In northwestern counties, a reporter noted much needed rain was received last week that helped alleviate dry conditions, at least for the short term.

In northeastern counties, a reporter commented substantial rain in areas delayed winter wheat planting but created more favorable conditions for germination of wheat that was previously seeded into dry soil. Rain also delayed harvest activities. A reporter noted producers were still waiting for corn and other crops to dry down before beginning harvest. Livestock producers were noted as seeking alternative feed sources due to poor pasture conditions and continued to sell and wean calves.

In east central counties, moisture received over the weekend aided winter wheat condition and emergence. A reporter noted corn harvest continued around precipitation events and producers expected to start sorghum harvest soon.

Southwestern counties also received beneficial moisture last week that provided short term relief, but drought conditions persisted.

In the San Luis Valley, moisture was sporadic and potato harvest made quick progress. Third cutting alfalfa harvest was virtually complete.

In southeastern counties, received moisture and heavy dew slowed harvest. A reporter in Otero county noted that corn in poor condition due to lack of adequate irrigation water during the year was cut for silage instead of grain.

Statewide, corn was rated 73 percent good to excellent, compared with 62 percent rated good to excellent last year. Stored feed supplies were rated 10 percent very short, 20 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 64 percent average and 36 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 3 percent heavy, 72 percent average, and 25 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 ..........................................	96	94	93	94
4th cutting harvested ..........................................	52	45	34	43
Corn
Mature ...............................................................	73	59	57	70
Harvested for grain ...........................................	20	11	8	14
Dry edible beans
Cut ....................................................................	97	92	86	87
Harvested ..........................................................	88	72	68	62
Onions
Harvested ..........................................................	95	94	83	76
Potatoes inside San Luis Valley
Harvested ..........................................................	78	54	68	66
Potatoes outside San Luis Valley
Harvested ..........................................................	82	72	62	NA
Sorghum
Mature ...............................................................	53	43	44	54
Harvested ..........................................................	13	9	2	10
Sugarbeets
Harvested ..........................................................	14	9	11	25
Winter wheat
Planted ..............................................................	78	67	68	79
Emerged ............................................................	56	39	37	47
DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION
	Current week	Previous week	Previous year	5-year average
Days suitable for fieldwork ....................................	5.8	6.6	4.6	NA
Topsoil moisture	(percent)	(percent)	(percent)	(percent)
Very short .........................................................	12	18	1	6
Short .................................................................	33	41	13	27
Adequate ..........................................................	54	41	80	64
Surplus..............................................................	1	--	6	3
Subsoil moisture
Very short .........................................................	14	19	2	11
Short .................................................................	28	33	20	30
Adequate ..........................................................	57	47	75	58
Surplus..............................................................	1	1	3	1
CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION
Commodity	Current week	Previous week	Previous year	5-year average
	(percent)	(percent)	(percent)	(percent)
Alfalfa hay
Very poor ..........................................................	9	10	3	NA
Poor ...................................................................	16	19	11	NA
Fair ....................................................................	29	30	23	NA
Good .................................................................	39	33	57	NA
Excellent ...........................................................	7	8	6	NA
Corn
Very poor ..........................................................	1	2	2	3
Poor ...................................................................	5	11	10	7
Fair ....................................................................	21	19	26	26
Good .................................................................	69	59	45	50
Excellent ...........................................................	4	9	17	14
Pasture and range
Very poor ..........................................................	31	28	2	5
Poor ...................................................................	31	29	14	16
Fair ....................................................................	19	17	25	29
Good .................................................................	17	23	45	41
Excellent ...........................................................	2	3	14	9
Sorghum
Very poor ..........................................................	4	6	6	7
Poor ...................................................................	6	8	9	15
Fair ....................................................................	26	26	19	32
Good .................................................................	60	55	53	41
Excellent ...........................................................	4	5	13	5
Sugarbeets
Very poor ..........................................................	1	1	2	1
Poor ...................................................................	5	9	5	3
Fair ....................................................................	18	34	18	17
Good .................................................................	53	45	59	64
Excellent ...........................................................	23	11	16	15
Sunflowers
Very poor ..........................................................	--	1	1	6
Poor ...................................................................	2	4	5	10
Fair ....................................................................	27	29	21	28
Good .................................................................	67	62	55	46
Excellent ...........................................................	4	4	18	10
Livestock
Very poor ..........................................................	2	2	--	--
Poor ...................................................................	2	4	1	2
Fair ....................................................................	16	25	25	18
Good .................................................................	71	62	68	70
Excellent ...........................................................	9	7	6	10