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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition summary – March 27, 2022

© iStock - William_Potter

Above average temperatures and windy conditions were observed across the state last week, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 83 percent of the state is under drought conditions, down 9 percentage points from last week. Thirty-four percent of the state is experiencing severe to exceptional drought conditions, a great improvement from 57 percent the prior week. Extreme drought conditions are affecting 7 percent of the state, primarily in the southern counties, down 1 percentage point from last week.

In northeastern and east central counties, some moisture was received last week. Above average temperatures aided in field preparation for imminent spring planting. Calving and lambing continued, supported by relatively mild weather.

Southwestern counties remained dry, and temperatures were above normal last week.

In the San Luis Valley, precipitation was limited over the last week, but moisture is forecasted for the upcoming week. A reporter noted warm temperatures allowed producers to continue fieldwork and barley planting has begun.

In southeastern counties, moisture received last week was beneficial to fall seeded crops and cool season pasture grasses, but continued precipitation is still needed.

Overall, calving and lambing continued with few issues, with 65 percent of cows calved and 44 percent of ewes lambed, both behind the previous year.

As of March 27, 2022, snowpack in Colorado was 92 percent measured as percent of median snowfall, a sharp decrease from 99 percent the previous week. The Southwest and San Luis Valley were 93 and 97 percent, respectively.

Stored feed supplies were rated 2 percent very short, 17 percent short, 76 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 1 percent heavy, 60 percent average, and 39 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 3 percent heavy, 71 percent average, and 26 percent light.

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Barley 

    

Planted 

-- 

11 

Winter wheat 

    

Pastured 

13 

12 

Cattle and calves 

    

Cows calved 

65 

55 

67 

54 

Sheep and lambs 

    

Ewes lambed 

44 

41 

54 

47 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

5.9 

3.7 

5.2 

4.7 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Very short 

16 

13 

10 

11 

Short 

39 

34 

34 

24 

Adequate 

44 

52 

55 

63 

Surplus 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

31 

21 

28 

13 

Short 

46 

51 

44 

27 

Adequate 

23 

28 

28 

59 

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 

17 

16 

24 

10 

Poor 

20 

21 

29 

19 

Fair 

31 

40 

36 

38 

Good 

30 

21 

11 

30 

Excellent 

-- 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

14 

14 

13 

Poor 

25 

23 

19 

16 

Fair 

50 

44 

40 

32 

Good 

11 

19 

25 

37 

Excellent 

-- 

-- 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

19 

19 

26 

23 

Good 

60 

62 

57 

65 

Excellent 

15 

11