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Ag stats – Colorado crop progress and condition report – week ending May 26, 2019

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Cool and wet weather pushed planting and spring fieldwork back again last week, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. A late spring snowstorm brought snow to the high country and several lower-elevation counties. 

Localities in some east central counties reported over a foot of snow. Severe weather late in the week produced isolated yet damaging hail in areas across the State.

In northwestern counties, rangeland grass growth was inhibited by cold, wet weather. In northeastern counties, measurable precipitation improved pasture condition and soil moisture supplies, but kept producers out of the field.

In east central counties, a reporter noted freeze damage to wheat from early week cold weather was a concern. Needed moisture was received in developing dry pockets within the district.

In the San Luis Valley, potato planting continued on pace with the average, but emergence remained behind. A reporter noted heat units are greatly needed to help potato emergence.

In southeastern counties, alfalfa harvest was delayed due to wet conditions. A primary concern was expected freeze damage to winter wheat due to last week’s cold snap.

As of May 23, 2019, snowpack in Colorado was 240 percent measured as percent of median snowfall. The Southwest and San Luis Valley were 374 and 323 percent of median snowfall, respectively.

Stored feed supplies were rated 6 percent very short, 12 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 1 percent heavy, 82 percent average, and 17 percent light.

Cattle death loss was 1 percent heavy, 90 percent average, and 9 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 

14 

Barley 

    

Emerged 

95 

85 

94 

90 

Corn 

    

Planted 

71 

63 

82 

83 

Emerged 

25 

12 

54 

54 

Dry edible beans 

    

Planted 

13 

Emerged 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Onions 

    

Planted 

90 

80 

NA 

NA 

Potatoes inside San Luis Valley 

   

Planted 

93 

77 

92 

91 

Emerged 

NA 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Planted 

91 

79 

87 

92 

Emerged 

42 

29 

49 

67 

Proso millet 

    

Planted 

27 

17 

NA 

NA 

Sorghum 

    

Planted 

12 

24 

20 

Emerged 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Sugarbeets 

    

Emerged 

81 

54 

81 

86 

Winter wheat 

    

Jointed 

94 

89 

95 

94 

Headed 

47 

18 

56 

58 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION

 

Current week

Previous week

Previous year

5-year average

Days suitable for fieldwork 

4.2 

6.2 

5.8 

4.9 

Topsoil moisture 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

(percent) 

Very short 

13 

Short 

12 

23 

15 

Adequate 

87 

82 

61 

70 

Surplus 

Subsoil moisture 

    

Very short 

14 

Short 

13 

13 

20 

16 

Adequate 

81 

82 

65 

70 

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 

NA 

Poor 

10 

NA 

Fair 

12 

13 

27 

NA 

Good 

63 

66 

42 

NA 

Excellent 

15 

13 

12 

NA 

Barley 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

Fair 

16 

21 

32 

21 

Good 

63 

57 

45 

54 

Excellent 

20 

22 

20 

23 

Onions 

    

Very poor 

-- 

NA 

-- 

Poor 

NA 

Fair 

NA 

16 

11 

Good 

86 

NA 

70 

71 

Excellent 

NA 

11 

14 

Pasture and range 

    

Very poor 

17 

Poor 

20 

14 

Fair 

16 

24 

27 

24 

Good 

68 

60 

31 

45 

Excellent 

12 

Potatoes outside San Luis Valley 

   

Very poor 

-- 

NA 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

NA 

Fair 

25 

NA 

20 

19 

Good 

54 

NA 

70 

69 

Excellent 

19 

NA 

10 

Sugarbeets 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

-- 

Fair 

21 

27 

24 

25 

Good 

59 

50 

54 

60 

Excellent 

16 

23 

15 

10 

Winter wheat 

    

Very poor 

Poor 

14 

13 

Fair 

21 

22 

25 

29 

Good 

62 

58 

49 

42 

Excellent 

13 

16 

Livestock 

    

Very poor 

-- 

-- 

Poor 

Fair 

16 

21 

19 

16 

Good 

72 

62 

64 

71 

Excellent 

10 

10 

12 

11