Range conditions decline slightly

Temperatures remained well above average across Colorado during the week ending April 16 with some areas 10 to 15 degrees above normal, according to the Colorado Agricultural Statistics Service, April 17.

Moisture was scarce across the state with most areas receiving little, if any, measurable precipitation. The warm, dry weather allowed farmers 6.3 days in the field to continue spring planting and other operations. The above average temperatures also advanced the maturity of those crops already planted. Windy conditions and lack of rainfall reduced topsoil moisture supplies last week, and are now rated at 13 percent very short, 31 percent short, 55 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies also declined and were rated at 17 percent very short, 44 percent short and 39 percent adequate.

Winter Wheat was 34 percent jointed by the end of last week which is ahead of last year's 27 percent and the five-year average of 18 percent. The crop was rated in mostly good to fair condition. Spring Wheat was 25 percent seeded and 12 percent emerged.

Corn planting began last week and was 3 percent complete by week's end. Last year and the five-year average were 4 percent and 2 percent planted, respectively. Dry onions were 60 percent planted by week's end which is behind the 76 percent reported last year and the five-year average of 66 percent. Spring barley reached 37 percent seeded and 15 percent at or beyond the emerged stage. This is significantly behind last year's crop which was 51 percent seeded and 25 percent emerged. The crop was rated in mostly fair to good condition. Summer potatoes were 24 percent planted by the end of last week and sugarbeets were at 38 percent planted.

Overall, pasture and range feed conditions declined slightly and are now rated at 10 percent very poor, 22 percent poor, 48 percent fair, and 20 percent good. Death losses for cattle and sheep were up from the previous week, but were still rated slightly below average. Cows calved reached 73 percent last week which is slightly behind last year's 79 percent. Ewes lambed were 75 percent by week's end which is on pace for last year and the 5- year average.

Date: 4/19/06

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