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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending November 20, 2022

© iStock - William_Potter

Another primarily dry week allowed corn and sorghum harvest to conclude in most areas, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

According to the United States Drought Monitor for November 15, over 48 percent of the State was categorized in moderate drought or worse, up almost 2 percent from the previous week. Over 23 percent of the State is experiencing severe to exceptional drought conditions, up minimally from last week. The exceptional drought conditions noted across portions of Phillips and Sedgwick Counties remain unchanged from last week, accounting for less than one percent of the State.

Statewide, soil moisture supplies declined, despite snow received across much of the State last week. Areas of the foothills received up to 11 inches of snow, while the eastern plains received around an inch of snowfall.

Cooler than average temperatures were seen across most of the State, with most of the State experiencing temperatures more than ten degrees below average. The average maximum temperature didn’t get above 50 degrees and lows in the teens and single digits were seen across the State.

Sunflower harvest is wrapping up in eastern Colorado, but still trails the previous year’s harvest pace of 92 percent complete.

Snow received in the San Luis Valley put a good cover on the valley floor that will likely last through the winter. Cattle have returned from summer pastures and the sale of calves has begun.

Corn for grain harvest is almost complete, with 95 percent of the crop harvested, behind the previous year at 97 percent but ahead of the 5-year average of 93 percent.

Livestock remained in mostly good condition, although recent cold conditions have deteriorated livestock conditions slightly. Stored feed supplies were rated 28 percent very short, 28 percent short, 41 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 77 percent average and 23 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 75 percent average and 25 percent light.

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Corn 

    

Harvested for grain 

95 

84 

97 

93 

Sorghum 

    

Harvested 

97 

90 

99 

90 

Sunflowers 

    

Harvested 

90 

73 

92 

90 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

5.8 

6.5 

6.6 

6.3 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

27 

29 

35 

21 

Short 

48 

44 

44 

28 

Adequate 

25 

27 

21 

50 

Surplus 

-- 

-- 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

32 

35 

39 

21 

Short 

45 

45 

35 

29 

Adequate 

23 

20 

26 

49 

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 

16 

25 

16 

Poor 

19 

23 

19 

21 

Fair 

29 

27 

18 

24 

Good 

32 

37 

26 

33 

Excellent 

12 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

24 

18 

Poor 

28 

27 

22 

14 

Fair 

28 

34 

30 

30 

Good 

20 

20 

33 

40 

Excellent 

-- 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

19 

18 

23 

18 

Good 

57 

65 

50 

67 

Excellent 

12 

18 

10