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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending September 15, 2019

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Harvest of spring crops progressed around isolated precipitation last week, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

In northwestern counties, frost in some areas ended the growing season, according to a county reporter. Cool-season grasses in the area were still growing where moisture was adequate.

In northeastern and east central counties, harvesting activities picked up significantly last week where conditions allowed. Reporters noted rain in areas was enough to delay the start of corn silage harvest for some producers. More producers also began seeding winter wheat last week. Hail that was severe enough to damage crops was reported in a couple northeastern counties. Received moisture was beneficial for pasture and rangeland conditions, but dry pockets remained in need of moisture. Scattered moisture was received in southwestern counties last week, but overall conditions remained dry.

According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report, abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions expanded in southwestern counties.

In the San Luis Valley, barley harvest was virtually complete and potato harvest reportedly made good progress. Third cutting of alfalfa also began. A reporter noted some livestock producers were moving stock out of the mountains into lower pastures.

In southeastern counties, a reporter noted portions of north central Bent and Prowers counties received very heavy rainfall last week along with small hail. Rain in the area greatly benefitted crops that were in need of rain. Hay harvest continued but was slow.

Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 5 percent short, 78 percent adequate, and 17 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 2 percent heavy, 63 percent average, and 35 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 74 percent average and 26 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 

70 

61 

83 

76 

4th cutting harvested 

24 

18 

22 

15 

Barley 

    

Harvested 

96 

93 

95 

93 

Corn 

    

Doughed 

94 

90 

97 

97 

Dented 

61 

44 

84 

80 

Mature 

20 

18 

Harvested for silage 

30 

15 

74 

51 

Dry edible beans 

    

Cut 

21 

79 

42 

Harvested 

46 

19 

Onions 

    

Harvested 

17 

75 

47 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Harvested 

26 

18 

19 

16 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Harvested 

40 

28 

56 

56 

Proso Millet 

    

Harvested 

41 

23 

NA 

NA 

Sorghum 

    

Turning color 

58 

31 

86 

74 

Mature 

12 

12 

17 

Winter wheat 

    

Planted 

21 

22 

25 

Emerged 

NA 

10 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

6.3 

6.6 

6.9 

6.8 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

Very short 

12 

Short 

35 

27 

35 

34 

Adequate 

55 

67 

52 

57 

Surplus. 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

10 

13 

Short 

33 

22 

29 

31 

Adequate 

56 

70 

57 

59 

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 

15 

Fair 

25 

23 

Good 

70 

77 

45 

53 

Excellent 

12 

10 

12 

Corn 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

25 

18 

14 

22 

Good 

56 

65 

70 

59 

Excellent 

10 

15 

13 

Dry edible beans 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

11 

Poor 

19 

Fair 

50 

38 

13 

28 

Good 

40 

51 

53 

56 

Excellent 

Onions 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

NA 

NA 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

NA 

NA 

Fair 

NA 

NA 

Good 

89 

92 

NA 

NA 

Excellent 

NA 

NA 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

26 

Poor 

21 

15 

Fair 

24 

22 

22 

26 

Good 

59 

64 

29 

44 

Excellent 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

10 

10 

Fair 

30 

30 

13 

18 

Good 

40 

40 

59 

55 

Excellent 

20 

20 

24 

19 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

NA 

Poor 

NA 

Fair 

17 

18 

NA 

Good 

67 

72 

65 

NA 

Excellent 

14 

21 

NA 

Sorghum 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

Fair 

26 

23 

25 

29 

Good 

61 

64 

62 

56 

Excellent 

10 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

Fair 

11 

12 

20 

13 

Good 

80 

75 

52 

66 

Excellent 

13 

22 

18 

Sunflowers 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

23 

17 

24 

27 

Good 

67 

69 

69 

58 

Excellent 

10 

14 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

14 

13 

Good 

76 

78 

74 

75 

Excellent 

13 

12 

11