Colorado

Colorado continued to see little change in the weather with scattered showers and average temperatures again reported for most of the State during the week ending Sept. 18, however, the San Luis Valley has begun experiencing some light frost in the early mornings, according to the Colorado Agricultural Statistics Service, Sept. 19.

Total rain fall was at or slightly below the average for the week. Harvesting of spring barley and spring Wheat is nearing completion while harvesting of potatoes, dry onions, and corn silage continued to progress at an average pace. Topsoil moisture supplies decreased slightly from the previous week with ratings at 12 percent very short, 36 percent short, 52 percent adequate, and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies remained about the same and are rated at 19 percent very short, 46 percent short, 34 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Producers had an average of 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork.

Producers continue to plant winter Wheat with 52 percent of the crop seeded and 13 percent emerged by the end of the week. Spring Wheat was 91 percent harvested by week's end, spring barley was 95 percent harvested, and dry onions were 68 percent harvested. Corn was 97 percent at or beyond the dough stage, 70 percent at or beyond the dent stage, and 30 percent mature with 1 percent of the crop harvested. The crop is rated in mostly good to fair condition. Corn for silage reached 55 percent harvested by week's end. The sorghum crop was 61 percent at or beyond the turning color stage with 28 percent mature with 1 percent of the crop harvested. The crop is rated in fair to good condition. Dry beans were 61 percent cut with 32 percent harvested by week's end. Dry beans are now rated in mostly good condition. Alfalfa third cutting reached 72 percent harvested while the fourth cutting was at 14 percent harvested by week's end. The crop continues to be rated in good to fair condition. Sugarbeets were still rated in mostly good condition. Fall and summer potatoes were rated in good to fair condition with 28 and 67 percent of the crop harvested respectively. The sunflower crop was rated in good to fair condition last week.

Overall, pasture and range feed conditions have remained steady and are now rated at 11 percent very poor, 26 percent poor, 37 percent fair, 23 percent good, and 3 percent excellent. Cattle and sheep death losses were rated below average for the week.