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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and conditions report – week ending October 13, 2019

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Fall harvest made significant progress last week, amidst an early fall snowstorm, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. Several areas also observed their first hard freeze and record-low temperatures were set in many localities.

Northeastern county reporters noted sugarbeet harvest was fully underway last week, and harvest of corn, sorghum, and sunflowers also picked up. Freezing temperatures last week aided dry down of crops yet to be harvested, reporters noted. Counties in the area received scattered rain and enough snow to accumulate.

East central county reporters noted low temperatures between 10 and 15 degrees were observed, along with snowy and windy conditions. Producers continued fall seeding and harvest activities around inclement weather.

In southwestern counties, a reporter noted drought conditions worsened and minimal precipitation was received. According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report, severe drought was introduced across several southwestern counties and moderate drought conditions also expanded in northwestern counties.

In the San Luis Valley, producers rushed to wrap up fall potato harvest before the big freeze, according to county reporters. Although potato harvest approached completion mid-week, reporters noted producers who did not finish in time likely had some potatoes frozen. Precipitation was minimal. Observed temperatures were reportedly down to single digits.

In southeastern counties, reporters observed a very hard freeze, bringing crops to maturity. Corn harvest also started to pick up. Livestock producers continued seasonal weaning activities, but some heavy sickness in calves was observed due to the large temperature swings.

Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 3 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 17 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 2 percent heavy, 67 percent average, and 31 percent light.

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

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Alfalfa hay 

    

4th cutting harvested 

57 

48 

58 

54 

Corn 

    

Mature 

83 

65 

83 

82 

Harvested for grain 

27 

17 

28 

20 

Harvested for silage 

98 

91 

NA 

NA 

Dry edible beans 

    

Cut 

85 

74 

NA 

NA 

Harvested 

52 

42 

91 

77 

Onions 

    

Harvested 

86 

75 

NA 

NA 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Harvested 

94 

79 

82 

82 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Harvested 

91 

82 

92 

NA 

Proso Millet 

    

Harvested 

94 

85 

NA 

NA 

Sorghum 

    

Mature 

82 

59 

68 

68 

Harvested 

38 

17 

18 

16 

Sugarbeets 

    

Harvested 

49 

31 

24 

30 

Sunflowers 

    

Harvested 

41 

Winter wheat 

    

Planted 

91 

79 

85 

88 

Emerged 

63 

50 

65 

61 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

5.7 

6.5 

3.8 

6.0 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

Very short 

15 

10 

Short 

33 

36 

23 

28 

Adequate 

52 

53 

70 

64 

Surplus. 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

12 

11 

Short 

28 

30 

28 

28 

Adequate 

57 

60 

60 

62 

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 

NA 

NA 

Poor 

NA 

NA 

Fair 

13 

10 

NA 

NA 

Good 

65 

76 

NA 

NA 

Excellent 

15 

NA 

NA 

Corn 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

27 

22 

24 

22 

Good 

56 

61 

62 

58 

Excellent 

11 

15 

Dry edible beans 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

NA 

NA 

Poor 

11 

NA 

NA 

Fair 

60 

42 

NA 

NA 

Good 

29 

46 

NA 

NA 

Excellent 

NA 

NA 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

29 

Poor 

10 

25 

15 

Fair 

26 

28 

20 

26 

Good 

58 

51 

24 

43 

Excellent 

Sorghum 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

Fair 

28 

26 

25 

30 

Good 

61 

62 

61 

55 

Excellent 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

15 

15 

24 

16 

Good 

71 

76 

51 

62 

Excellent 

14 

16 

18 

Sunflowers 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

24 

24 

26 

26 

Good 

70 

66 

66 

56 

Excellent 

10 

12 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

NA 

NA 

Poor 

NA 

NA 

Fair 

24 

NA 

32 

NA 

Good 

45 

NA 

51 

NA 

Excellent 

23 

NA 

NA 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

10 

18 

14 

Good 

73 

75 

69 

74 

Excellent 

13 

15 

10 

11