Planting and harvesting continue

Conditions for fieldwork were mixed last week, but planting and harvesting activities continued around scattered moisture events early in the week, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, Colorado. In northeastern counties, warm and dry weather allowed producers to make good progress harvesting corn silage. Producers were reportedly beginning to seed winter wheat or preparing equipment to do so. Soil conditions were noted to be mostly favorable for winter wheat seeding. In drier areas, pasture and range conditions continued to deteriorate and livestock producers were searching for alternative feed sources. In east central counties, early week moisture also made conditions favorable for planting winter wheat in areas. A reporter noted cool weather slowed maturity of some crops. In southwestern counties, welcome moisture was received last week. Heavy in areas, a reporter noted one location received 1.25 inches of rain in under 2 hours. However, widespread drought conditions persisted. In the San Luis Valley, rain slowed barley harvest in areas, although most producers made good progress when weather allowed. Potato harvest was noted to be slow last week. Southeastern county reporters noted good moisture was received last week and contributed to favorable conditions for winter wheat seeding and emergence. The wet weather was enough in areas to delay alfalfa harvest and winter wheat seeding slightly. A reporter noted damp and cool conditions slowed the maturity of grain sorghum, but helped rangeland recover somewhat from extreme drought conditions this year. A reporter also mentioned some corn intended for grain was being harvested for silage due to damage from lack of moisture earlier in the season.