Colorado Crop Progress and Condition Report, Week Ending November 27, 2022

Agricultural Summary:

Another primarily dry week allowed harvest to conclude in most areas, according to the Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. According to the United States Drought Monitor for November 22, over 49 percent of the State was categorized in moderate drought or worse, up from the previous week. Over 25 percent of the State is experiencing severe to exceptional drought conditions, up almost 2 percent from last week. Extreme drought conditions in the northeastern and southeastern portion of the State worsened last week, accounting for roughly 4 percent of the State, up 1 percent from last week. The exceptional drought conditions noted across portions of Phillips and Sedgwick Counties remain unchanged from last week, accounting for less than one percent of the State.

Warmer than average temperatures were seen across most of the State, with the northeastern corner of the State experiencing temperatures more than six degrees above average and minimal moisture. The western slopes realized below average temperatures and scattered precipitation. The average maximum temperature reached almost 60 degrees on the eastern plains and lows below zero degrees were seen in the high country.

Sunflower harvest is almost complete in eastern Colorado, jumping ahead of the 5-year average harvest pace of 95 percent complete. Livestock remained in mostly good condition.  Pasture and rangeland have become scarce in areas, with many ranchers providing supplemental feed to livestock.

Snowpack in the State was below average for this time of year. Stored feed supplies were rated 26 percent very short, 28 percent short, 42 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Sheep death loss was 70 percent average and 30 percent light. Cattle death loss was 1 percent heavy, 70 percent average, and 29 percent light.

Note: This report concludes the weekly crop progress report for 2022. Next year’s Colorado weekly report will begin in March 2023.

Monthly reports will be released for December on January 3, 2023; for January on January 30, 2023; and for February on February 27, 2023.  Our thanks to the weekly reporters for providing crop progress observations during the 2022 season.