Wheat crop rated in mostly fair to poor condition

Colorado received more precipitation during the week ending April 24 along the I-70 corridor while the rest of the state received below average levels of precipitation, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Colorado Field Office, April 25.

The state experienced average temperatures. Overall, mountain snowpack is 119 percent of average. The snowpack in the southern region of the state is rated at only 74 percent of average with the San Luis Valley at only 68 percent of average. The northern region is 141 percent of average. Farmers were allowed 5.0 days in the field for spring operations.

Winter wheat being pastured was rated at five percent last week with 28 percent jointed. The crop is rated in mostly fair to poor condition. Spring barley was 51 percent seeded with 20 percent emerged by the end of the week, compared to the 5-year averages of 55 percent seeded and 22 percent emerged. Spring wheat was 44 percent seeded with 10 percent emerged.

Corn planted last week increased to 11 percent. Sugarbeets reached 20 percent planted, compared to the 5- year average of 49 percent. Onion plantings increased to 73 percent. Summer potatoes were 19 percent planted by the end of last week.

Pasture and range feed conditions were rated at mostly fair condition across the state due to dry, high winds that persisted last week especially in the southern regions. Cows that have calved since Jan. 1 increased to 82 percent while 79 percent of the ewes have lambed during the same time frame. Death losses for cattle and sheep were average. Stored feed supplies were also rated average for this time of year.

(Source: http://www.hpj.com/archives/2011/may11/may2/0425COcropreportMRko.cfm)