Fieldwork, spring planting progressing quickly

Fieldwork and spring planting progressed quickly around moisture events for the week ending April 29, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, Colorado. Midweek moisture was mostly confined to eastern districts, while the west and south remained dry. Hot and dry temperatures finished out the week statewide. Reporters in northeastern counties noted precipitation helped provide short-term relief and sustained condition of winter wheat. The longer term outlook for non-irrigated crops and rangeland remained a concern without additional moisture. A reporter noted crop producers were preparing to irrigate soon due to lacking topsoil moisture, and that livestock producers were considering or already culling animals at a higher rate than normal. In east central counties, recent moisture continued to help winter wheat condition, although reported blowing winds were cause for concern going forward if more moisture isn’t received soon. In southwestern counties, reporters noted conditions worsened last week with rangeland grass showing minimal growth and drought-induced dormancy. It was noted that Archuleta and La Plata counties received some moisture that helped conditions a little. In the San Luis Valley, reporters noted potato planting started in earnest, with small grains planting nearing completion. Measurable precipitation continued to be minimal, and high winds were an issue for emerging barley. In southeastern counties, dry conditions continued, although some counties benefited from midweek moisture. Corn planting was noted to be just starting last week in these counties. As of April 27, snowpack in Colorado was 64 percent measured as percent of median snowfall.