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

Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending August 11, 2019

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Winter wheat harvest was virtually complete by week’s end as producers in only a few localities were still finishing harvest, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. 

Significant moisture events last week were mostly confined to eastern districts, although western counties received some isolated precipitation.

In northwestern counties, received moisture kept pastures green but slightly delayed hay harvest, according to a county reporter.

In northeastern counties, hot weather continued to advance spring crops toward maturity. Locally heavy rainfall in areas reduced fieldwork opportunities. Declining rangeland conditions in dry areas were still a concern due to lack of consistent moisture. Reporters noted dryland crops were still in mostly good condition, but measurable moisture was needed going forward.

In northern east central counties, severe thunderstorms Sunday brought tornadoes, damaging hail, and locally heavy rainfall. Hail in excess of four inches in diameter was reported in Washington county near Otis. Other counties in the area benefitted from summer monsoon moisture.

In southwestern counties, limited monsoon moisture led to a decline in crop and rangeland conditions in the area.

In the San Luis Valley, received moisture improved soil moisture supplies and rangeland conditions. Hay supplies were noted as short, but better than last year. Reporters noted crops were doing well, but still behind slightly compared to last year. A reporter noted some early potatoes were showing signs of maturity and the start of barley harvest was near.

Southeastern counties received isolated moisture last week and hay harvest was slowed slightly. Other crops in the area greatly benefitted from the moisture, according to a county reporter.

Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 7 percent short, 84 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 1 percent heavy, 58 percent average, and 41 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 1 percent heavy, 66 percent average, and 33 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 

90 

77 

86 

85 

3rd cutting harvested 

22 

11 

27 

26 

Barley 

    

Turning color 

97 

88 

92 

91 

Harvested 

19 

23 

Corn 

    

Silked 

91 

77 

92 

91 

Doughed 

15 

39 

27 

Dented 

Dry edible beans 

    

Blooming 

79 

62 

87 

85 

Sorghum 

    

Headed 

64 

40 

74 

62 

Turning color 

12 

Winter wheat 

    

Harvested 

96 

92 

100 

99 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

5.4 

6.2 

6.5 

5.9 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

Very short 

12 

Short 

15 

23 

30 

25 

Adequate 

77 

66 

54 

64 

Surplus

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

18 

10 

Short 

16 

22 

25 

23 

Adequate 

77 

67 

53 

64 

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 

17 

Fair 

11 

30 

24 

Good 

73 

69 

37 

51 

Excellent 

14 

13 

13 

Barley 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

Fair 

20 

15 

34 

21 

Good 

49 

54 

47 

52 

Excellent 

23 

25 

19 

25 

Corn 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

19 

22 

26 

21 

Good 

64 

63 

58 

60 

Excellent 

13 

11 

13 

Dry edible beans 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

11 

Poor 

19 

Fair 

35 

35 

17 

29 

Good 

56 

55 

47 

56 

Excellent 

Onions 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

32 

21 

Good 

89 

89 

52 

62 

Excellent 

12 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

30 

Poor 

29 

15 

Fair 

15 

17 

24 

26 

Good 

71 

65 

15 

43 

Excellent 

10 

12 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

30 

27 

16 

18 

Good 

47 

51 

53 

54 

Excellent 

20 

19 

26 

21 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

15 

17 

13 

Good 

70 

67 

59 

77 

Excellent 

13 

14 

23 

13 

Sorghum 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

13 

Fair 

24 

33 

23 

28 

Good 

64 

54 

53 

56 

Excellent 

10 

10 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

Fair 

13 

13 

18 

13 

Good 

74 

75 

53 

65 

Excellent 

12 

12 

22 

18 

Sunflowers 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

19 

23 

25 

24 

Good 

70 

68 

61 

59 

Excellent 

11 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

21 

15 

Good 

74 

76 

66 

72 

Excellent 

14 

13 

11