Wheat harvest continues in northeastern counties

Winter wheat harvest continued to progress ahead of average due to hot and dry conditions for the week ending July 15, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, Colorado. Precipitation was isolated across Colorado last week with some areas receiving substantial amounts and others receiving none. Winter wheat harvest continued in northeastern counties, with reporters noting yields varied depending on locality and amount of damaging hail the crop received. Most irrigated crops were noted to be growing well and benefited from recent hot temperatures. Storms late in the week alleviated dry conditions in dryland crops and pastureland, but areas that did not receive moisture continued to show drought stress. East central county reporters noted winter wheat harvest was wrapping up last week. Several counties remained desperately dry with continued drought conditions. In southwestern counties, a reporter noted summer monsoon precipitation patterns started to develop last week, but received moisture was spotty. Rangeland grass was noted to be dormant due to drought with no growth observed. Irrigated pastures were noted to be under-producing due to hot temperatures. In the San Luis Valley, limited precipitation fell last week. Isolated areas received hail, causing damage to some alfalfa, barley, and potatoes. Southeastern county reporters noted little rain was received last week. Crop losses and abandonment were noted to be up. Statewide, winter wheat harvested was at 80 percent complete, compared to 56 percent on average.