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Summer crop harvest aided by dry weather
Colorado
Higher temperatures and lack of rainfall across the state increased crop progress substantially during the week ending Sept. 19, and during that week, harvest of summer crops was also in full swing, according to the Colorado Agricultural Statistics Service Sept. 20.
Topsoil moisture supplies decreased slightly and are now rated at 15 percent very short, 35 percent short, and 50 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture supplies also changed slightly drier to 19 percent very short, 37 percent short, and 44 percent adequate. Producers had an average of 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork with the fair weather.
Winter Wheat seeding progressed to 62 percent complete, which is ahead of last year's 53 percent and the average of 47 percent. Spring Wheat harvested advanced to 94 percent complete, behind last year but just ahead of the average pace. Spring barley harvested was complete by the end of the week. Corn was 92 percent dough just behind last year and the average. Corn was also 75 percent dent, 17 percent mature, and 1 percent harvested. Corn was rated in mostly good to excellent condition. Corn silage harvested progressed to 39 percent complete which is substantially behind last year's 72 percent and the average of 62 percent. Sorghum advanced to 99 percent at or beyond headed, 51 percent at or beyond turning color, and 13 percent mature. Sorghum was rated in mostly good to fair condition.
Producers were 64 percent complete with 3rd cutting alfalfa and 11 percent complete with the 4th cutting by the end of last week. Alfalfa was rated in mostly fair to good condition. Dry beans cut reached 64 percent complete, just behind last year and the average. Dry beans harvested ended the week at 27 percent complete and were rated in mostly good to fair condition. Dry onions were 70 percent harvested and in mostly good condition. Summer potatoes were 71 percent harvested and in mostly good to fair condition. Fall potatoes were 27 percent harvested and were also mostly in good to fair condition. Sunflowers were 7 percent harvested by the end of the week and were rated in mostly good condition. Sugar beets were rated in mostly good to fair condition.
Overall pasture and range feed condition decreased slightly last week and are now rated at 5 percent very poor, 20 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 37 percent good, and 4 percent excellent, slightly better than last year and the average. Stored feed supplies were rated slightly above average.
Date: 9/22/04
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