Colorado

Measurable amounts of precipitation were received across the state in the beginning of the week that ended April 17, and Denver and the surrounding areas reported the most moisture with over an inch in some places, according to the Colorado Agricultural Statistics Service, April 18.

Temperatures were right at average for all of Colorado. Topsoil moisture supplies improved to 1 percent very short, 18 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies are rated at 15 percent very short, 33 percent short, 47 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Producers had an average of 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork.

Winter Wheat was 29 percent jointed, which is ahead of last year's 27 percent and the average at 21 percent. Winter Wheat condition continues to improve slowly and is mostly rated from good to fair. Spring Wheat finished at 47 percent seeded, ahead of both last year's 38 percent and the average of 32 percent. The spring Wheat crop was 18 percent emerged, ahead of both last year and the average pace of 11 and 12 percent respectively. Spring Wheat is rated in mostly good condition. Spring barley was 54 percent seeded and 27 percent emerged. The spring barley crop is rated in mostly good condition. Producers continued with sugarbeet planting which is now 49 complete. This is behind last year's 68 percent but ahead of the five-year average of 46 percent.

Dry onions planted made great progress and was 79 percent completed. This is still behind last year's 82 percent but now ahead of the average of 71 percent. Dry onions are rated in mostly good condition. Summer potato planting continued with 20 percent of the crop planted. Five percent of the corn crop had been planted. This is ahead of last year and the average of 2 percent.

Overall pasture and range feed condition remained about the same and are now rated at 2 percent very poor, 20 percent poor, 43 percent fair, 31 percent good, and 4 percent excellent. This is a large improvement from last year and the five-year average. Calving was 80 percent complete which is right on target of last year and ahead of the average of 76 percent. Lambing was at 77 percent complete, which is slightly ahead of the average. Both cattle and sheep death losses continue to be below average for the year. Stored feed supplies were rated just below average.

Date: 4/21/05