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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending September 13, 2020

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Widespread moisture received last week provided temporary relief to drought conditions but delayed fieldwork and harvest in areas, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Northeastern counties experienced mixed weather including rain, hail, snow, and freezing temperatures. County reports noted no damage yet to crops from the freeze, but producers were still evaluating conditions after the storm. Isolated minor hail damage was reported. Corn silage and sugarbeet harvest was delayed slightly due to received moisture but progressed where conditions allowed. Received moisture benefited producers preparing to seed fall crops. Precipitation helped settle dust affecting livestock, but producers continued to cull herds, wean calves, and provide supplemental feed in response to drought.

East central counties received much needed moisture last week. Harvest of crops continued where conditions allowed, and limited harvest of sorghum began. Areas in the district received several inches of significant snowfall.

Southwestern counties also received moisture and record-low temperatures were recorded in some localities.

In the San Luis Valley, potato harvest made little progress due to rain and heavy snow. Temperatures were cold, but county reports noted snow (up to one foot) provided insulation for potato fields. Evaluation of possible freeze damage was ongoing. Development of fungus was also a concern going forward. Late harvest of the little remaining barley was stopped by snow.

In southeastern counties, rain and snow provided beneficial, soaking moisture. County reports noted temperatures were cold but, so far, no freeze damage was reported.

Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 7 percent very short, 30 percent short, 60 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 60 percent average and 40 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 1 percent heavy, 80 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 

    

3rd cutting harvested 

68 

64 

67 

73 

4th cutting harvested 

13 

11 

22 

16 

Corn 

    

Dented 

87 

62 

56 

72 

Mature 

27 

10 

14 

Harvested for grain 

NA 

-- 

-- 

Harvested for silage 

43 

27 

26 

42 

Dry edible beans 

    

Cut 

33 

16 

17 

36 

Harvested 

15 

Onions 

    

Harvested 

25 

15 

14 

41 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Harvested 

11 

24 

16 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Harvested 

53 

30 

37 

48 

Proso Millet 

    

Harvested 

50 

32 

36 

NA 

Sorghum 

    

Headed 

95 

92 

97 

97 

Turning color 

75 

56 

50 

69 

Mature 

35 

15 

11 

Harvested 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Sugarbeets 

    

Harvested 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Winter wheat 

    

Planted 

30 

17 

16 

19 

Emerged 

NA 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

4.9 

6.9 

6.3 

6.7 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

34 

44 

Short 

38 

36 

35 

33 

Adequate 

27 

20 

55 

59 

Surplus. 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

38 

41 

10 

Short 

39 

40 

33 

30 

Adequate 

23 

19 

56 

61 

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 

Poor 

10 

10 

Fair 

25 

24 

20 

Good 

53 

51 

70 

59 

Excellent 

12 

11 

Corn 

    

Very poor 

17 

21 

Poor 

16 

18 

Fair 

27 

25 

25 

21 

Good 

35 

32 

56 

60 

Excellent 

10 

12 

Dry edible beans 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

22 

25 

Fair 

41 

42 

50 

29 

Good 

33 

29 

40 

57 

Excellent 

Onions 

    

Very poor 

-- 

NA 

Poor 

-- 

NA 

Fair 

24 

24 

NA 

Good 

62 

62 

89 

NA 

Excellent 

NA 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

23 

25 

Poor 

34 

32 

12 

Fair 

32 

32 

24 

25 

Good 

11 

11 

59 

48 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

13 

15 

10 

Fair 

19 

24 

30 

19 

Good 

46 

41 

40 

53 

Excellent 

16 

15 

20 

21 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

NA 

Poor 

NA 

Fair 

20 

20 

17 

NA 

Good 

58 

59 

67 

NA 

Excellent 

15 

15 

14 

NA 

Sorghum 

    

Very poor 

18 

19 

Poor 

21 

23 

Fair 

42 

43 

26 

24 

Good 

17 

13 

61 

64 

Excellent 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

25 

25 

11 

11 

Good 

54 

55 

80 

71 

Excellent 

10 

15 

Sunflowers 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

34 

33 

-- 

Fair 

41 

42 

23 

24 

Good 

15 

16 

67 

65 

Excellent 

10 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

32 

30 

10 

Good 

51 

54 

76 

77 

Excellent 

13 

11