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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report for the week ending April 4, 2021

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Mostly dry conditions allowed fieldwork to continue without delay last week, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.
Northeastern and east central counties received limited precipitation in areas, but most remained dry. Above normal temperatures were observed. Concerns remained for pasture and range condition if more moisture isn’t received to promote grass production. Calving and lambing advanced, aided by mild weather. Warmer temperatures and prior moisture also helped winter wheat progress compared to the prior week.

In southwestern counties, little to no moisture was received and temperatures were warm. Moisture is greatly needed headed into the growing season.

The San Luis Valley experienced another week with no precipitation and soil moisture was notably short. Fieldwork continued and barley planting progressed quickly for some producers. Feed supplies were also notably short.

In southeastern counties, little moisture was received and high winds observed last week dried out topsoil. A county report mentioned producers were planting oats for forage last week.

As of April 5, 2021, snowpack in Colorado was 84 percent measured as percent of median snowfall. The Southwest and San Luis Valley were 77 and 100 percent, respectively.

Stored feed supplies were rated 15 percent very short, 26 percent short, 58 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 49 percent average and 51 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 5 percent heavy, 50 percent average, and 45 percent light.

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Barley 

    

Planted 

26 

12 

18 

11 

Winter wheat 

    

Pastured 

18 

13 

11 

Jointed 

Cattle and calves 

    

Cows calved 

77 

69 

71 

66 

Sheep and lambs 

    

Ewes lambed 

61 

55 

69 

57 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

6.4 

5.2 

5.3 

5.5 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

13 

10 

14 

10 

Short 

39 

34 

22 

21 

Adequate 

48 

55 

64 

66 

Surplus 

-- 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

29 

28 

Short 

41 

44 

20 

23 

Adequate 

30 

28 

73 

67 

Surplus 

-- 

-- 

-- 

CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

24 

24 

Poor 

34 

29 

15 

Fair 

32 

36 

28 

36 

Good 

10 

11 

57 

38 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

15 

13 

12 

Poor 

19 

19 

15 

13 

Fair 

39 

40 

25 

31 

Good 

24 

25 

45 

43 

Excellent 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

21 

26 

23 

19 

Good 

64 

57 

63 

71 

Excellent