AGRICULTURAL SUMMARY: Hot and dry weather was widespread with reported isolated precipitation throughout the state last week, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

In northeastern counties, winter wheat planting progressed well despite dry soil conditions. Livestock were reportedly in good condition, with producers marketing calves to alleviate using forage.

Northeastern and east central counties noted winter wheat being seeded into dry topsoil.

UNITED STATES HIGHLIGHTS

August Prices Received Index Decreased 2.2 Percent 

The August Prices Received Index (Agricultural Production), at 89.5, decreased 2.2 percent from July 2018. At 89.9, the Crop Production Index increased 3.6 percent. The Livestock Production Index, at 89.3, decreased 6.4 percent.

Producers received lower prices for broilers, hogs, grapes, and soybeans more than offset higher prices for milk, wheat, lettuce, and lemons.

COLORADO 

Colorado inventory of all hogs and pigs on September 1, 2018 was 780,000 head, up 3 percent from June 1, 2018 and up 3 percent from last year. Breeding inventory, at 155,000 head, was unchanged from the previous quarter, but down 5,000 head from last year. Market hog inventory, at 625,000 head, was up 3 percent from last quarter and up 4 percent from last year. 

ARIZONA 

Off-farm corn stocks in Arizona on September 1, 2018 were 1.63 million bushels, up 27 percent from September 1, 2017, according to the September 1 Agricultural Survey and September Grain Stocks Report conducted by the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. Off-farm barley stocks totaled 140,000 bushels, down 12 percent from last year. 

Chris Sorensen

Reflecting recent warm, dry weather in the state, western Colorado saw expansion of the worst drought categories, while dry conditions grew in the northeast.

Exceptional drought expanded further east a week after it had advanced to the north into Mesa and Delta counties. This week’s increases now cover all of Ouray and Archuleta counties and most of Hinsdale and Mineral counties. Southwest Gunnison County and western Conejos County also moved into exceptional conditions.

Breakfast

• October 1: Oatmeal, raisins, toast, milk, orange juice, V8
• October 2: Omelet, muffin, fruit, grape juice, V8, milk
• October 3: Breakfast burrito, apple juice, V8, milk, fruit
• October 4: Bagel sandwich, orange juice, V8, milk, fruit

Lunch

• October 1: Chili fiesta, lettuce, tomato, pears, cookie, milk, fruit and salad bar
• October 2: Tomato soup, grilled cheese, peach, milk, fruit and salad bar
• October 3: Chicken tacos, lettuce, pineapple, cake, milk, fruit and salad bar
• October 4: Bierocks, broccoli,

Seth Graham Splitter

November 26, 1997 – September 21, 2018

Seth Graham Splitter was born in Kansas City, Missouri, November 26, 1997, to David and Dennill Splitter. He passed away in Elk Mound, Wisconsin, September 21, 2018, after a farming accident. 

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