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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending June 21, 2020

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The benefits of received precipitation were erased by hot and windy weather last week, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Winter wheat maturity advanced quickly, and limited harvest began in the southeastern district.

In northeastern counties, mostly dry conditions continued. Less wind is needed to help soils retain moisture. Concerns were noted for winter wheat yields as harvest approaches in coming weeks.

East central counties received isolated precipitation, but high winds continued to deplete soil moisture supplies. Producers remained very concerned regarding deteriorating crop and pasture conditions. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report showed extreme drought conditions extending into more east central counties.

Southwestern counties remained dry and no moisture was received. A significant wildfire was burning in Montezuma and La Plata counties.

In the San Luis Valley, the first cutting of alfalfa progressed quickly, and potato emergence was virtually complete. No precipitation was received last week, and conditions remained dry.

In southeastern counties, wheat harvest began in some areas but low test weights were discouraging. Condition of crops and pasture continued to deteriorate due to dry and windy weather.

Stored feed supplies were rated 7 percent very short, 18 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 68 percent average and 32 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 87 percent average and 13 percent light.

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Alfalfa hay 

    

1st cutting harvested 

75 

63 

65 

69 

2nd cutting harvested 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Barley 

    

Headed 

23 

13 

29 

Dry edible beans 

    

Planted 

93 

75 

50 

72 

Emerged 

51 

31 

18 

48 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Emerged 

96 

81 

83 

89 

Proso Millet 

    

Planted 

96 

87 

80 

NA 

Sorghum 

    

Planted 

87 

68 

86 

89 

Emerged 

55 

42 

51 

61 

Sunflowers 

    

Planted 

86 

78 

68 

69 

Winter wheat 

    

Headed 

97 

92 

94 

98 

Turning color 

63 

32 

37 

66 

Mature 

17 

14 

Harvested 

-- 

-- 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

6.3 

5.9 

4.6 

5.9 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

25 

20 

Short 

49 

55 

13 

Adequate 

26 

25 

84 

76 

Surplus. 

-- 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

24 

21 

Short 

46 

50 

11 

15 

Adequate 

30 

29 

81 

75 

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 

10 

11 

Poor 

12 

16 

Fair 

28 

28 

10 

24 

Good 

44 

41 

68 

53 

Excellent 

14 

12 

Barley 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

31 

27 

19 

20 

Good 

46 

48 

49 

53 

Excellent 

13 

19 

28 

26 

Corn 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

15 

Fair 

47 

65 

27 

20 

Good 

28 

22 

63 

64 

Excellent 

12 

Dry edible beans 

    

Very poor 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Poor 

18 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Fair 

49 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Good 

28 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Excellent 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Onions 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

Fair 

26 

26 

13 

Good 

65 

65 

88 

69 

Excellent 

12 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

32 

27 

Poor 

16 

13 

10 

Fair 

26 

26 

19 

20 

Good 

26 

34 

58 

52 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

19 

12 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

27 

18 

25 

25 

Good 

49 

53 

51 

56 

Excellent 

19 

26 

19 

17 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

21 

21 

17 

13 

Good 

62 

62 

73 

68 

Excellent 

12 

12 

18 

Sorghum 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

Fair 

62 

53 

22 

19 

Good 

28 

34 

67 

73 

Excellent 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

11 

Fair 

28 

28 

28 

19 

Good 

48 

48 

59 

61 

Excellent 

10 

13 

12 

16 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

14 

16 

Poor 

23 

22 

12 

Fair 

34 

31 

16 

27 

Good 

27 

29 

51 

43 

Excellent 

29 

15 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

25 

22 

21 

15 

Good 

60 

54 

61 

71 

Excellent 

16 

13 

12