Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending August 25, 2019
Barley harvest in the San Luis Valley was fully underway last week, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.
Statewide, hot and mostly dry conditions prevailed, allowing producers sufficient time in the field and pushing crops toward maturity.
Severe weather and isolated precipitation, heavy in areas, was confined to eastern districts.
In northeastern and eastern counties, reporters mentioned some areas received more moisture than others. A reporter noted pastures were in good condition where consistent moisture has been received. Reporters noted producer field activity focused on pre-harvest activities for spring crops and preparations for fall-seeded crops.
Drier areas in the eastern districts remained a concern, especially for dryland crop and rangeland conditions.
Southwestern and western counties received no moisture last week and hot temperatures persisted. Fire danger was elevated due to dry and windy conditions.
In the San Luis Valley, barley harvest made significant gains last week amidst favorable weather. A reporter noted barley protein content was lower than normal due to the high amount of moisture received early in the season. Potato growers were also preparing for harvest. Rangeland and livestock were reportedly in good condition.
In southeastern counties, isolated moisture was reported, but it varied greatly by locality. A county reporter mentioned crops were progressing well but still remained behind normal for this time of year.
Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 3 percent short, 81 percent adequate, and 16 percent surplus.
Sheep death loss was 60 percent average and 40 percent light.
Cattle death loss was 67 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 | ||||
3rd cutting harvested | 41 | 35 | 54 | 49 |
4th cutting harvested | 6 | NA | NA | NA |
Barley | ||||
Harvested | 45 | 15 | 73 | 56 |
Corn | ||||
Doughed | 56 | 34 | 76 | 70 |
Dented | 10 | 3 | 23 | 25 |
Harvested for silage | 8 | 7 | 15 | 7 |
Dry edible beans | ||||
Blooming | 95 | 89 | 96 | NA |
Potatoes outside San Luis Valley | ||||
Harvested | 9 | 5 | 21 | 17 |
Sorghum | ||||
Headed | 89 | 81 | 90 | 86 |
Turning color | 7 | 4 | 34 | 30 |
Winter wheat | ||||
Planted | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION | ||||
Current week | Previous week | Previous year | 5-year average | |
Days suitable for fieldwork | 64 | 61 | 67 | 63 |
Topsoil moisture | (percent) | (percent) | (percent) | (percent) |
Very short | 5 | 3 | 11 | 6 |
Short | 17 | 15 | 26 | 24 |
Adequate | 74 | 78 | 61 | 66 |
Surplus | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
Subsoil moisture | ||||
Very short | 2 | 3 | 17 | 9 |
Short | 18 | 16 | 25 | 24 |
Adequate | 77 | 77 | 56 | 66 |
Surplus | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION | ||||
Commodity | Current week | Previous week | Previous year | 5-year average |
(percent) | (percent) | (percent) | (percent) | |
Alfalfa hay | ||||
Very poor | 4 | 2 | 8 | 3 |
Poor | 5 | 3 | 17 | 9 |
Fair | 10 | 9 | 26 | 24 |
Good | 60 | 70 | 41 | 52 |
Excellent | 21 | 16 | 8 | 12 |
Barley | ||||
Very poor | 2 | 3 | NA | NA |
Poor | 5 | 4 | NA | NA |
Fair | 23 | 19 | NA | NA |
Good | 50 | 52 | NA | NA |
Excellent | 20 | 22 | NA | NA |
Corn | ||||
Very poor | -- | -- | 3 | 1 |
Poor | 2 | 5 | 11 | 5 |
Fair | 14 | 17 | 20 | 21 |
Good | 59 | 62 | 57 | 60 |
Excellent | 25 | 16 | 9 | 13 |
Dry edible beans | ||||
Very poor | 1 | -- | 11 | 2 |
Poor | 3 | 2 | 23 | 6 |
Fair | 29 | 27 | 31 | 29 |
Good | 58 | 70 | 30 | 55 |
Excellent | 9 | 1 | 5 | 8 |
Onions | ||||
Very poor | -- | -- | 7 | 2 |
Poor | -- | -- | 9 | 5 |
Fair | 4 | 2 | 16 | 18 |
Good | 95 | 98 | 62 | 62 |
Excellent | 1 | -- | 6 | 13 |
Pasture and range | ||||
Very poor | 2 | 1 | 26 | 7 |
Poor | 4 | 3 | 24 | 15 |
Fair | 20 | 17 | 23 | 26 |
Good | 64 | 71 | 24 | 44 |
Excellent | 10 | 8 | 3 | 8 |
Potatoes inside San Luis Valley | ||||
Very poor | -- | -- | -- | 1 |
Poor | 3 | 5 | 1 | 5 |
Fair | 30 | 33 | 8 | 16 |
Good | 47 | 44 | 69 | 58 |
Excellent | 20 | 18 | 22 | 20 |
Potatoes outside San Luis Valley | ||||
Very poor | -- | -- | 2 | -- |
Poor | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
Fair | 17 | 16 | 13 | 10 |
Good | 67 | 70 | 59 | 77 |
Excellent | 14 | 12 | 23 | 12 |
Sorghum | ||||
Very poor | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
Poor | 3 | 2 | 14 | 9 |
Fair | 24 | 21 | 26 | 29 |
Good | 59 | 65 | 53 | 55 |
Excellent | 13 | 11 | 3 | 4 |
Sugarbeets | ||||
Very poor | -- | -- | 1 | 1 |
Poor | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Fair | 11 | 7 | 33 | 16 |
Good | 82 | 86 | 44 | 64 |
Excellent | 6 | 4 | 20 | 17 |
Sunflowers | ||||
Very poor | -- | -- | 1 | 1 |
Poor | -- | -- | 4 | 6 |
Fair | 20 | 18 | 26 | 25 |
Good | 66 | 69 | 64 | 60 |
Excellent | 14 | 13 | 5 | 8 |
Livestock | ||||
Very poor | -- | -- | 2 | -- |
Poor | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Fair | 5 | 10 | 18 | 14 |
Good | 78 | 74 | 68 | 74 |
Excellent | 14 | 13 | 10 | 11 |
