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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition summary for the week ending June 9, 2019

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Warmer and drier weather last week allowed producers more days in the field and helped advance crop development, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Isolated severe weather and precipitation were reported in several counties. Northeastern county reporters noted corn planting neared completion last week and alfalfa hay harvest was underway. A reporter mentioned receiving more reports than normal of invasive cheatgrass stands, raising concerns for fire danger and future weed control.

In the San Luis Valley, light damage to barley from hail was reported last week. Although still behind the average, fall potato emergence picked up slightly due to warmer temperatures. Some freeze damage was noted in alfalfa due to below freezing overnight temperatures late in the week. Reporters mentioned more heat units are needed for crop development to really move ahead.

In southeastern counties, sorghum planting began and some corn was still being planted last week. Varying amounts of isolated precipitation were received. Hay harvest progressed slowly as conditions allowed.

Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 5 percent very short, 16 percent short, 76 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 1 percent heavy, 90 percent average, and 9 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 2 percent heavy, 87 percent average, and 11 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 

36 

23 

38 

35 

Barley 

    

Headed 

-- 

10 

Corn 

    

Planted 

88 

78 

99 

98 

Emerged 

69 

49 

90 

88 

Dry edible beans 

    

Planted 

14 

45 

44 

Emerged 

21 

17 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Emerged 

39 

17 

79 

52 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Emerged 

85 

66 

86 

90 

Proso millet 

    

Planted 

50 

41 

NA 

NA 

Sorghum 

    

Planted 

58 

37 

61 

49 

Emerged 

16 

33 

23 

Sugarbeets 

    

Emerged 

91 

83 

97 

NA 

Sunflowers 

    

Planted 

35 

35 

30 

Winter wheat 

    

Headed 

83 

68 

90 

92 

Turning color 

26 

21 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

5.6 

4.4 

6.9 

5.8 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

Very short 

21 

Short 

28 

18 

Adequate 

86 

82 

51 

66 

Surplus. 

10 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

13 

Short 

11 

10 

23 

16 

Adequate 

83 

81 

64 

71 

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 

11 

Fair 

28 

26 

Good 

63 

65 

43 

53 

Excellent 

20 

16 

13 

Barley 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

Fair 

17 

16 

26 

18 

Good 

60 

65 

49 

56 

Excellent 

21 

19 

22 

25 

Corn 

    

Very poor 

-- 

NA 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

NA 

Fair 

27 

NA 

12 

18 

Good 

63 

NA 

76 

68 

Excellent 

NA 

12 

Onions 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

Fair 

13 

29 

21 

Good 

82 

88 

61 

65 

Excellent 

10 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

17 

Poor 

25 

13 

Fair 

15 

16 

31 

23 

Good 

71 

62 

26 

47 

Excellent 

11 

19 

10 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

17 

17 

18 

12 

Good 

64 

62 

56 

72 

Excellent 

17 

19 

26 

16 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

33 

29 

23 

18 

Good 

52 

60 

59 

64 

Excellent 

13 

17 

16 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

15 

13 

Fair 

16 

16 

25 

27 

Good 

59 

60 

46 

40 

Excellent 

21 

20 

11 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

16 

15 

17 

15 

Good 

68 

72 

69 

70 

Excellent 

12 

10 

10 

13