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

Ag stats: Colorado crop progress report and conditions for May 12, 2019

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Widespread precipitation fell over much of the State last week, keeping producers out of the field, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

In northwestern counties, a reporter noted pasture growth was starting to pick up due to warm days and adequate moisture.

Northeastern counties received enough moisture to limit fieldwork last week. A reporter noted corn planting was moving along for irrigated acreage. Producer concerns were noted in drier parts of the district, which will need more precipitation going forward to sustain good non-irrigated crop and pasture conditions.

East central county reporters noted corn planting was delayed due to cool temperatures and continued moisture. Fall seeded crops and pasture were reportedly to be in good condition where received moisture was sufficient.

In the San Luis Valley, snow and rain during the week halted potato planting. Some areas received over an inch of moisture, boosting soil moisture supplies and range condition. In southeastern counties, rain also stopped planting and haying activities last week. A reporter noted cold soil temperatures slowed corn emergence. Pastures benefitted from the moisture but were in need of warm days to stimulate growth.

Statewide, winter wheat condition was rated 77 percent good to excellent, compared to 53 percent rated good to excellent last year.

Livestock were reportedly in good condition with spring calving virtually complete.

As of May 13, 2019, snowpack in Colorado was 155 percent measured as percent of median snowfall. The Southwest and San Luis Valley were 217 and 183 percent, respectively.

Stored feed supplies were rated 4 percent very short, 16 percent short, 79 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 95 percent average and 5 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 2 percent heavy, 89 percent average, and 9 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 

NA 

NA 

Barley 

    

Planted 

93 

87 

95 

92 

Emerged 

79 

52 

79 

65 

Corn 

    

Planted 

39 

21 

37 

49 

Emerged 

10 

Dry edible beans 

    

Planted 

-- 

NA 

NA 

Onions 

    

Planted 

70 

54 

95 

91 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Planted 

55 

32 

76 

47 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Planted 

60 

44 

69 

81 

Emerged 

18 

10 

21 

Proso millet 

    

Planted 

10 

NA 

NA 

Sugarbeets 

    

Planted 

92 

83 

88 

89 

Emerged 

43 

27 

36 

41 

Winter wheat 

    

Jointed 

77 

54 

68 

75 

Headed 

10 

16 

Cattle and calves 

    

Cows calved 

93 

90 

94 

97 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

3.9 

6.1 

6.1 

4.8 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

Very short 

19 

Short 

10 

25 

18 

Adequate 

86 

87 

55 

67 

Surplus 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

12 

10 

Short 

11 

26 

22 

Adequate 

85 

89 

62 

65 

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 

Poor 

NA 

Fair 

12 

27 

NA 

Good 

75 

74 

46 

NA 

Excellent 

16 

12 

10 

NA 

Barley 

    

Very poor 

-- 

NA 

Poor 

-- 

NA 

Fair 

12 

NA 

23 

22 

Good 

56 

NA 

52 

55 

Excellent 

32 

NA 

21 

21 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

20 

16 

Fair 

20 

21 

33 

29 

Good 

69 

67 

38 

43 

Excellent 

-- 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

12 

13 

Fair 

21 

25 

29 

30 

Good 

62 

59 

49 

41 

Excellent 

15 

14 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

17 

24 

16 

18 

Good 

71 

63 

71 

71 

Excellent