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Ag stats: December 2020 Colorado crop progress and condition report

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Note: Weekly crop progress and condition reports will resume in March. Monthly reports are released for December, January and February.

Moderately dry weather across the state during the month of December was interspersed with a few productive snowstorms, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Overall, the entire state remained in moderate to exceptional drought, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report.

In eastern counties, some areas benefitted from good snowfall while others remained mostly dry. Temperatures were generally above normal. Reporters noted winter wheat and pasture conditions remained stressed from continued lack of consistent precipitation, but the snowfall was welcome. More precipitation is needed to improve pasture and crop conditions prior to spring. Feed supplies were short as producers continued feeding livestock.

In the San Luis Valley, soil moisture supplies remained short and little precipitation was received. Pasture and rangeland in the area remained very short and livestock producers were actively seeking any alternate winter grazing arrangements.

As of January 1, 2021, snowpack in Colorado was 83 percent measured as percent of median snowfall.

SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current report

Previous report

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Topsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

33 

42 

17 

NA 

Short 

44 

41 

25 

NA 

Adequate 

23 

17 

58 

NA 

Surplus. 

-- 

-- 

-- 

NA 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

35 

36 

19 

NA 

Short 

48 

46 

28 

NA 

Adequate 

17 

18 

53 

NA 

Surplus. 

-- 

-- 

-- 

NA 

CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION

Commodity

Current report

Previous report

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

29 

29 

NA 

Poor 

36 

42 

11 

NA 

Fair 

29 

23 

33 

NA 

Good 

45 

NA 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

NA 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

15 

17 

NA 

Poor 

19 

21 

12 

NA 

Fair 

47 

42 

24 

NA 

Good 

18 

20 

41 

NA 

Excellent 

-- 

16 

NA 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

NA 

Poor 

NA 

Fair 

33 

31 

14 

NA 

Good 

49 

53 

71 

NA 

Excellent 

11 

11 

NA