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Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending November 17, 2019

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Fall harvest made gains over last week where conditions allowed, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Statewide, grain sorghum harvest was nearly complete. Limited precipitation received early in the week was mostly confined to northeastern counties.

Harvest progress in northeastern and east central counties continued, but moisture content was still too high for some producers. A county reporter noted spotty winter wheat emergence and thin stands in areas were a concern for producers. Dry pasture conditions were also concerning for livestock producers where precipitation has not been adequate.

In southwestern counties, conditions continued to deteriorate due to severe drought. According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report, all southwestern counties and some San Luis Valley counties were rated under severe drought.

San Luis Valley reporters noted hay supplies were below normal, but despite dry conditions, livestock and ranges remained in mostly good condition.

In southeastern counties, dry weather prevailed last week and moisture was needed. Harvest continued, but moisture content of corn still remained high in areas.

Statewide, stored feed supplies were rated 2 percent short, 82 percent adequate, and 16 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 2 percent heavy, 73 percent average, and 25 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 72 percent average and 28 percent light.

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS

Commodity

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

 

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Alfalfa hay 

    

4th cutting harvested 

90 

81 

89 

NA 

Corn 

    

Harvested for grain 

92 

83 

86 

87 

Sorghum 

    

Harvested 

95 

90 

64 

83 

Sunflowers 

    

Harvested 

92 

84 

70 

83 

Winter wheat 

    

Emerged 

91 

88 

97 

98 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

6.1 

4.9 

4.4 

5.4 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

Very short 

14 

12 

Short 

30 

30 

11 

27 

Adequate 

56 

58 

82 

63 

Surplus. 

-- 

-- 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

11 

10 

Short 

31 

28 

20 

28 

Adequate 

58 

60 

72 

61 

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 

22 

Poor 

11 

26 

17 

Fair 

31 

37 

23 

29 

Good 

53 

44 

27 

40 

Excellent 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

Fair 

28 

21 

30 

35 

Good 

51 

50 

53 

46 

Excellent 

13 

21 

10 

11 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

13 

14 

Good 

77 

73 

75 

75 

Excellent 

13 

14 

10