Insignificant moisture stresses crops

Continued dry weather during the month of January was punctuated with minimal seasonal snowfall across the state, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, Colorado. Reporters in all districts noted that insignificant moisture was received during the past month to properly sustain fall seeded crops and moisture reserves. Eastern, northeastern, and southeastern county reporters noted that while some welcome wet snow was received, winter wheat was stressed due to windy conditions and lack of consistent moisture. Range conditions were also a concern going forward due to lack of received moisture. In southwestern counties, reporters noted that drought continued to be a major concern, and that livestock producers hauled water to ponds on private and federal lands due to lack of winter moisture. They also noted that dry conditions pushed producers to buy up more hay, which was short in some areas. Southwestern reporters also mentioned that winter wheat remained very stressed due to lack of timely moisture. In San Luis Valley counties, drought was also reportedly very concerning without any significant moisture received thus far. Statewide, livestock were noted to be in good condition in many areas due to milder winter conditions. As of Jan. 29, snowpack in Colorado was at 61 percent measured as percent of median snowfall. The monthly report will be released for February on Feb. 26.