Blizzard stalls fieldwork

A late week blizzard blanketed northeastern Colorado and stalled fieldwork for the week ending April 16, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, Colorado. Other localities across the state received isolated precipitation and high winds, with the majority of areas remaining dry and in need of moisture. Northeastern and some east central counties were hit hardest by blizzard conditions late in the week, causing challenges for livestock producers. Received snow will help moisture supplies, but cold temps were a concern for winter wheat in these areas. A northeastern county reporter noted some winter wheat was damaged by frost. A reporter in the east central district noted high winds late in the week approached hurricane strength and caused varying levels of damage. Lack of moisture received in this area along with wind continued to deteriorate conditions, with additional fires reported last week. Southwestern counties remained very dry last week. Reporters noted problematic high winds caused soil erosion and damaged some newly emerged barley. Possible alfalfa losses due to winter kill were also noted. Reporters in southeastern counties noted isolated moisture was received, but high winds negated any soak-in. It was also mentioned that very limited delivery of irrigation water will adversely affect spring plantings.