Latest Colorado crop progress report – drought continues

The USDA published the latest Crop Progress Report on Tuesday, May 26. Here’s a closer look at recent weather and the status of Colorado’s most important crops at the end of May.

Weather

For the week that ended May 24, there were 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork in Colorado. The previous week, ending May 17, there were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork. At this time last year, farmers had 5.7 suitable days.

The USDA rated Colorado topsoil moisture at 37% very short, 50% short, 13% adequate, and 0% surplus. Subsoil moisture conditions in Colorado were reported at 41% very short, 37% short, 22% adequate, and 0% surplus.

The U.S. Drought Monitor issued the latest drought map showing that 40% of Colorado is in either an extreme or exceptional drought while 37% is in a severe drought. Twenty-two percent of Colorado is abnormally dry or in a moderate drought.

Below-normal temperatures transitioned back to a hot pattern across the High Plains, widespread precipitation moved through the region and brought 2 inches of rain to portions of eastern Colorado, according to the Drought Monitor.

Crop Progress

Corn

For the week that ended May 24, Colorado farmers had planted 88% of the corn crop, up from 65% last week. Last year at this time, 84% of corn had been planted. Colorado farmers are 16 percentage points ahead of the five-year average.

The USDA reported 30% of Colorado’s corn crop had emerged. The week prior, 10% of corn had emerged. Last year at this time, 37% of corn had emerged. The five-year average is 32%.

Sorghum

The USDA reported that 16% of sorghum had been planted. The previous week, 9% had been planted. At this time last year, 21% of sorghum had been planted. The five-year average is 19%.

Sunflowers

For the week that ended May 24, 17% of sunflowers had been planted, up 8 percentage points from last week. At this time last year, 25% of sunflowers had been planted. The five-year average is 16%.

Winter Wheat

The USDA reported 79% of winter wheat had headed, while 68% had headed the previous week. At this time last year, 49% of the crop was headed. The five-year average is 38%.

The winter wheat condition for the week that ended May 24 was reported as 26% very poor, 43% poor, 24% fair, 7% good, and 0% excellent.

Pasture and Range Condition

The pasture and range condition for the week that ended May 24 was reported as 16% very poor, 35% poor, 37% fair, 12% good, and 0% excellent.

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