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Warmer than normal temps push crops
Colorado
Colorado experienced warmer than normal temperatures during the week ending May 9, and with the warm and dry weather field crops progressed rapidly, according to the Colorado Agricultural Statistics Service, May 10.
Topsoil moisture supplies are rated at 6 percent very short, 40 percent short, 53 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies declined to 38 percent very short, 44 percent short and 18 percent adequate. The warm, dry weather allowed producers to average 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork.
The winter Wheat crop was 90 percent jointed and 23 percent headed by the end of the week, well ahead of both last year and the average. Winter Wheat condition remains in mostly poor to fair condition. Spring Wheat finished the week at 75 percent seeded, slightly behind both last year and the average pace. Spring Wheat is 45 percent emerged in mostly good condition. Barley was 92 percent seeded, just ahead of both last year and the average. Barley was 54 percent emerged and in mostly good condition. Corn planting progressed to 47 percent complete and 8 percent emerged by the end of the week. Sorghum planting progressed to 5 percent planted.
Sugar beet planting remains active with 97 percent of the cropplanted by the end of the week, well ahead of last year's 86 percent and the average at 92 percent. The sugar beet crop was 35 percent up to stand which is also ahead of the average. Dry onions were 98 percent planted, on pace with both last year and the average. Dry onions are in mostly good condition. Summer potato planting continued with 65 percent of the crop now planted, behind both last year at 75 percent and the average of 81 percent. Fall potatoes in the San Luis Valley are 36 percent planted, slightly behind the average pace of 38 percent. Summer potatoes were 20 percent emerged. Farmers started planting dry beans last week, ending up with 2 percent of the intended acreage planted.
Overall pasture and range feed condition was rated at 16 percent very poor, 32 percent poor, 40 percent fair, 11 percent good and 1 percent excellent. The condition ratings are a slight improvement over last year at this time, but are still below average. Both cattle and sheep death losses have been slightly below average so far this year. Stored feed supplies were rated adequate.
Date: 5/12/04
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