Image
Person standing in a wheat field using a tablet device with agriculture icons imposed

Ag stats: Colorado crop progress condition report – week ending July 18, 2021

© iStock - monkeybusinessimpages

A mostly dry week allowed winter wheat harvest to move quickly throughout the state, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

In northwestern counties, exceptional drought conditions persisted according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report. Very isolated moisture benefited some localities short-term, but most saw little relief from drought. A county report noted producers were heavily culling cattle in response to drought and feed supplies remained short. Hay production was also less than normal on both irrigated and non-irrigated ground.

In northeastern and east central counties, winter wheat harvest advanced rapidly. County reports noted yields were mixed in the district, with both above and below average yields observed depending on the area and local conditions. Second cutting of alfalfa also progressed last week. Spring crops were progressing well due to consistent moisture and hot weather. Rangeland remained in good condition and feed supplies were improving. Areas that did not receive moisture the past couple weeks were notably in need of rain.

In southwestern counties, extreme temperatures decreased but remained warm. Monsoonal moisture brought isolated storms to some localities while others remained dry. Peach harvest also began.

The San Luis Valley experienced hot temperatures and received isolated moisture last week. Rangeland was notably starting to dry up and in need of more moisture to continue supporting livestock through the grazing season. Potatoes damaged by hail continued to recover and barley was coloring. Second cutting of alfalfa also began.

In southeastern counties, winter wheat harvest continued and in some areas was almost complete. Conditions remained dry and windy with a few isolated storms reported.

Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 14 percent very short, 23 percent short, 50 percent adequate, and 13 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 82 percent average and 18 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 56 percent average and 44 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 

40 

28 

43 

46 

Barley 

    

Headed 

93 

88 

96 

95 

Turning color 

33 

14 

24 

33 

Corn 

    

Silked 

21 

13 

31 

22 

Dry edible beans 

    

Blooming 

26 

23 

31 

Winter wheat 

    

Mature 

98 

84 

NA 

NA 

Harvested 

61 

19 

89 

74 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

6.7 

6.5 

6.6 

6.4 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

14 

15 

34 

15 

Short 

26 

21 

37 

29 

Adequate 

59 

63 

29 

53 

Surplus. 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

17 

11 

32 

13 

Short 

30 

28 

42 

29 

Adequate 

53 

60 

26 

56 

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 

15 

Fair 

20 

20 

25 

22 

Good 

36 

51 

53 

52 

Excellent 

22 

19 

13 

Barley 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

10 

Fair 

29 

31 

22 

23 

Good 

41 

36 

51 

49 

Excellent 

16 

17 

26 

25 

Corn 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

14 

Fair 

18 

20 

36 

24 

Good 

54 

50 

36 

52 

Excellent 

24 

27 

10 

Dry edible beans 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

17 

Poor 

12 

11 

20 

13 

Fair 

38 

31 

33 

25 

Good 

33 

42 

29 

48 

Excellent 

17 

16 

Onions 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

40 

40 

30 

21 

Good 

46 

46 

59 

66 

Excellent 

10 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

24 

11 

Poor 

14 

15 

24 

15 

Fair 

31 

31 

32 

27 

Good 

35 

35 

20 

41 

Excellent 

15 

17 

-- 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

13 

13 

-- 

Fair 

25 

25 

17 

Good 

42 

42 

65 

56 

Excellent 

18 

18 

28 

25 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

32 

33 

20 

14 

Good 

58 

55 

54 

68 

Excellent 

10 

20 

15 

Sorghum 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

21 

10 

Fair 

21 

20 

48 

35 

Good 

62 

54 

19 

45 

Excellent 

17 

26 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

13 

Fair 

25 

25 

27 

19 

Good 

50 

53 

47 

62 

Excellent 

25 

22 

10 

14 

Sunflowers 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

14 

12 

Fair 

27 

35 

57 

34 

Good 

60 

45 

25 

56 

Excellent 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

NA 

NA 

Poor 

14 

NA 

NA 

Fair 

26 

28 

NA 

NA 

Good 

50 

43 

NA 

NA 

Excellent 

11 

11 

NA 

NA 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

Fair 

18 

19 

22 

17 

Good 

48 

56 

59 

67 

Excellent 

28 

19 

11