Recent Moisture Across the State Helps Crop Progress

The recent moisture that the state has received in either rain or snow form has made difference in Colorado's current condition of crops. NASS Mountain Region Director Bill Meyer says shares Monday's Crop Progress Report concerning soil moisture.

Meyer: "Our soil moisture is really rated great right now. Top soil moisture is rated 76 percent adequate and 13 percent surplus. The subsoil moisture is rated 75 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus — well ahead of the five year average and well ahead of where we were at this time last year. The pasture and range feed condition was rated at 41 percent good and 7 percent excellent and that is also way better than it was last year and much better than it has been compared to the five-year average."

Meyer continues with crop progress

Meyer: "Barley we had 75 percent of that planted statewide. Corn is getting a good start. We had 19 percent of that planted. Onions are nearing completion with 89 percent planted. Down in the valley, the potatoes we have 10 percent of that acreage planted. Sorghum they are just starting with 1 percent of acreage planted. Spring wheat we have 51 percent planted and sugar beets 76 percent. Winter wheat 67 percent of the acreage is in the jointed stage and 1 percent already reported as headed — both of those are quite a ways ahead of the five-year average."