Some producers reporting crop failure

Warm and mostly dry conditions were ideal for fieldwork activities for the week ending Aug. 12, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, Colorado. Northeastern county reporters noted moisture supplies held steady in areas despite a hot week. Producers affected by the storm on July 29 continued to assess damages. Non-irrigated crops and pasture in areas that have not received recent moisture were showing drought stress with some producers reporting crop failure. In east central counties, crops were noted to be doing well in those areas that benefited from recent rains. A reporter in Kiowa County noted CRP opened for grazing helped relieve pressure on native pastures; recent moisture helped grass recover and gain some late growth. In the San Luis Valley, barley harvest was in full swing last week and producers were preparing for potato harvest. Reporters noted there were some scattered showers, but pasture and rangeland continued to be very short. Southwestern counties received little moisture last week and exceptional drought conditions persisted. Monsoon moisture has yet to provide projected relief. Southeastern counties received spotty precipitation in areas, but drought conditions continued.