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

Ag stats: Colorado crop and livestock progress and condition report – week ending March 28, 2021

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Spring fieldwork continued last week amid scattered precipitation events, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Northeastern and east central counties received isolated moisture that supported soil moisture supplies, but warmer temperatures and high winds were also noted. Producers continued preparing for spring planting. Calving and lambing progressed, supported by mild weather. Concerns remained for pasture and range condition if more moisture isn’t received to promote grass production. Dry, windy conditions also prompted more concern for condition of winter wheat moving forward.

In western counties, snow and rain were observed late in the week, but soil moisture supplies remained short to very short. According to the latest U.S. Drought monitor report, western districts continued to experience mostly severe to exceptional drought conditions.

The San Luis Valley experienced another dry week and barley planting continued. Dry conditions were notably concerning for barley germination and emergence. Mild weather supported producers calving and lambing and less disease stress was noted.

In southeastern counties, more rain and isolated snowfall supported winter wheat and alfalfa, which continued to green-up. A county report noted irrigation canals started water in the area.

As of March 26, 2021, snowpack in Colorado was 94 percent measured as percent of median snowfall. The Southwest and San Luis Valley were 89 and 111 percent, respectively.

Stored feed supplies were rated 16 percent very short, 26 percent short, 57 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 2 percent heavy, 81 percent average, and 17 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 5 percent heavy, 51 percent average, and 44 percent light.

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Barley 

    

Planted 

12 

Winter wheat 

    

Pastured 

13 

17 

12 

Jointed 

NA 

NA 

Cattle and calves 

    

Cows calved 

69 

53 

60 

54 

Sheep and lambs 

    

Ewes lambed 

55 

48 

56 

45 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

5.2 

3.0 

4.9 

4.5 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

10 

14 

12 

10 

Short 

34 

27 

22 

21 

Adequate 

55 

57 

65 

66 

Surplus 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

28 

31 

10 

Short 

44 

46 

24 

23 

Adequate 

28 

23 

67 

65 

Surplus 

-- 

-- 

CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

24 

25 

Poor 

29 

23 

16 

Fair 

36 

32 

30 

38 

Good 

11 

17 

51 

34 

Excellent 

-- 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

13 

16 

11 

Poor 

19 

13 

16 

15 

Fair 

40 

38 

22 

30 

Good 

25 

29 

45 

41 

Excellent 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

11 

Fair 

26 

37 

27 

21 

Good 

57 

40 

60 

70 

Excellent