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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending May 30, 2021

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Rainfall and wet conditions delayed planting and fieldwork in some eastern counties last week while western counties remained distressingly dry, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

In northeastern counties, corn planting progressed but remained slightly behind the average. Planting and emergence of other crops picked up as conditions allowed, but the first cutting of alfalfa was delayed due to cool and wet weather. A county report noted producers were also treating alfalfa for aphids. Winter wheat and pasture conditions continued to improve from recent moisture. Heavy infestations of cheatgrass in areas were noted.

In east central counties, continued moisture benefitted pasture and non-irrigated crop conditions. However, county reports noted producers were actively treating for stripe rust in area wheat.

Drought in western counties continued to persist. Little moisture was received last week and windy conditions were observed. First cutting of alfalfa in the district progressed. Crops continued to advance but serious concerns remained regarding the drought. Local reservoirs were at extremely low levels.

In the San Luis Valley, rain and severe weather were observed at the end of the week. Isolated crop damage from hail was reported in areas. County reports noted crops were doing well, but some alfalfa was adversely affected by frost. Feed supplies remained short but recent moisture helped improve pasture and range condition.

In southeastern counties, moisture was received over the weekend. Fieldwork delays continued due to wet conditions and a county report noted elevated insect problems in alfalfa.

As of May 26, 2021, snowpack in Colorado was 71 percent measured as percent of median snowfall. The Southwest and San Luis Valley were 40 and 48 percent, respectively, compared to the South Platte basin at 134 percent.

Stored feed supplies were rated 21 percent very short, 24 percent short, 54 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 86 percent average and 14 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 71 percent average and 29 percent light.

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Alfalfa hay 

    

1st cutting harvested 

15 

23 

18 

Barley 

    

Emerged 

95 

89 

96 

93 

Corn 

    

Planted 

84 

64 

96 

89 

Emerged 

54 

32 

81 

64 

Dry edible beans 

    

Planted 

23 

12 

27 

17 

Emerged 

NA 

NA 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

    

Planted 

98 

94 

NA 

NA 

Emerged 

10 

39 

15 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Planted 

100 

92 

96 

94 

Emerged 

45 

28 

78 

72 

Proso millet 

    

Planted 

10 

45 

NA 

Sorghum 

    

Planted 

26 

11 

40 

29 

Sugarbeets 

    

Emerged 

83 

56 

70 

85 

Sunflowers 

    

Planted 

18 

10 

38 

16 

Winter wheat 

    

Headed 

56 

25 

64 

67 

Turning color 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

3.9 

3.5 

6.8 

5.8 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

-- 

22 

Short 

14 

41 

18 

Adequate 

80 

75 

36 

66 

Surplus. 

12 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

10 

21 

Short 

23 

27 

34 

16 

Adequate 

71 

62 

45 

72 

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 

Fair 

22 

24 

25 

19 

Good 

55 

50 

55 

59 

Excellent 

15 

19 

12 

Barley 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

30 

33 

23 

19 

Good 

49 

46 

47 

57 

Excellent 

16 

14 

24 

23 

Corn 

    

Very poor 

-- 

NA 

NA 

Poor 

NA 

NA 

Fair 

18 

NA 

38 

NA 

Good 

59 

NA 

44 

NA 

Excellent 

19 

NA 

NA 

Onions 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

-- 

Fair 

42 

45 

26 

17 

Good 

53 

55 

60 

73 

Excellent 

-- 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

19 

Poor 

18 

18 

16 

10 

Fair 

53 

51 

33 

22 

Good 

18 

19 

32 

50 

Excellent 

10 

-- 

10 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

NA 

-- 

Poor 

NA 

Fair 

30 

NA 

30 

27 

Good 

56 

NA 

51 

60 

Excellent 

13 

NA 

13 

11 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

20 

Poor 

11 

12 

21 

13 

Fair 

35 

40 

28 

25 

Good 

41 

38 

29 

46 

Excellent 

10 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

21 

24 

20 

14 

Good 

63 

58 

65 

71 

Excellent 

10 

12