Image
PROMO 64S Agriculture - Stats Statistics Tablet Symbols Farm Ranch - iStock - monkeybusinessimages

Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report for the week ending August 15, 2021

© iStock - monkeybusinessimpages

Hot and mostly dry conditions persisted last week, contributing to declines in soil moisture supplies and dryland crop conditions, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Hay harvest continued in northwestern counties and little moisture was received last week. Extreme and exceptional drought conditions remained according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report.

In northeastern counties, isolated moisture was received, but overall the district remained very dry. Grass fires due to lightning were reported. Yield expectations for non-irrigated crops declined due to lack of precipitation and livestock producers were monitoring rangeland closely with the expectation of pulling livestock off early. Irrigated crops continued to progress nicely according to county reports and irrigation water supplies were noted as adequate.

East central counties received isolated precipitation last week and limited reports of corn harvested for silage were noted. The third cutting of alfalfa wrapped up in some areas. More counties were included in the abnormally dry designation last week according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report.

In southwestern counties, most precipitation was confined to southern counties. Very hot temperatures persisted and county reports noted below normal hay yields.

In the San Luis Valley, barley harvest began and the second cutting of alfalfa continued. County reports noted enough precipitation was received to support rangeland growth. In southeastern counties, spotty moisture was received. Irrigation water supplies remained mostly adequate, but rain is needed in the area.

Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 1 percent very short, 20 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 15 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 83 percent average and 17 percent light.

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

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Alfalfa hay 

    

2nd cutting harvested 

85 

74 

94 

92 

3rd cutting harvested 

29 

12 

22 

30 

Barley 

    

Turning color 

95 

89 

98 

NA 

Harvested 

20 

19 

21 

Corn 

    

Doughed 

49 

32 

52 

39 

Dented 

12 

10 

11 

Harvested for silage 

-- 

Dry edible beans 

    

Blooming 

99 

88 

91 

NA 

Sorghum 

    

Headed 

91 

77 

72 

75 

Turning color 

10 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

6.7 

6.4 

7.0 

6.4 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

14 

13 

38 

12 

Short 

42 

37 

42 

25 

Adequate 

44 

49 

20 

60 

Surplus. 

-- 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

25 

23 

43 

14 

Short 

35 

34 

36 

23 

Adequate 

40 

43 

21 

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 

12 

Poor 

15 

20 

14 

10 

Fair 

18 

19 

22 

20 

Good 

49 

38 

48 

54 

Excellent 

10 

11 

12 

Barley 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

13 

14 

Fair 

43 

42 

22 

23 

Good 

27 

26 

58 

53 

Excellent 

16 

18 

19 

20 

Corn 

    

Very poor 

14 

Poor 

12 

13 

14 

Fair 

29 

24 

26 

20 

Good 

41 

42 

36 

57 

Excellent 

15 

19 

10 

11 

Dry edible beans 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

15 

16 

19 

10 

Fair 

32 

32 

41 

29 

Good 

44 

43 

37 

54 

Excellent 

-- 

Onions 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

11 

11 

Fair 

38 

38 

28 

17 

Good 

43 

43 

59 

69 

Excellent 

10 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

27 

12 

Poor 

19 

17 

28 

14 

Fair 

30 

30 

31 

24 

Good 

22 

25 

13 

44 

Excellent 

20 

23 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

20 

20 

Fair 

36 

35 

13 

17 

Good 

34 

35 

55 

57 

Excellent 

25 

21 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

34 

34 

23 

12 

Good 

55 

55 

56 

72 

Excellent 

12 

13 

Sorghum 

    

Very poor 

17 

Poor 

21 

10 

Fair 

19 

15 

39 

26 

Good 

56 

65 

20 

53 

Excellent 

18 

15 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

25 

25 

22 

14 

Good 

50 

50 

60 

69 

Excellent 

25 

25 

13 

14 

Sunflowers 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

10 

24 

Fair 

30 

29 

47 

26 

Good 

55 

58 

21 

59 

Excellent 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

Fair 

17 

12 

33 

18 

Good 

60 

63 

50 

67 

Excellent 

17 

19 

10