Crop Progress Wheat
The Crop Progress Report from the National Ag Statistics Service says snow and rain slowed fieldwork in areas since the last report. Northeastern counties received snow with good moisture content, boosting soil moisture supplies. Winter wheat development was behind in some areas. More moisture is needed going forward to build soil moisture profiles.
Madison Andersen is Communications Coordinator at the Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee.
Andersen: “We’re thankful for the moisture. Obviously, that big snow storm we had back in march brought snow to some areas. But other areas 3 inches of rain so we’re very thankful for that could not have been more timely. But it was still not enough to carry throughout the whole rest of the season. “
Winter wheat conditions are 14% Very poor compared to 15% last year,
20 % Poor compared to the last year’s 16%, and 40% Fair compared to 27% this week in 2020, 23% Good compared to last year’s 40%, and 3% Excellent compared to 2% a year ago
Livestock producers noted concerns for the availability of summer grass this year.
East central counties also received several inches of snow in areas. Fieldwork and limited planting progressed. County reports noted native pasture grass growth remained behind due to cool temperatures. . Drought conditions persist in Southwestern counties. . In the San Luis Valley, light snow was received and barley planting continued. Conditions remained dry.
Feed supplies were notably short. In southeastern counties, rain and snowfall greatly benefited area crops. A county report noted irrigation water supplies were limited. As of April 19 snowpack in Colorado was 77 percent measured as a percent of median snowfall. The Southwest and San Luis Valley were 63 and 81 percent, respectively
