2021 Colorado Wheat Harvest Update

July 30, 2021

Wheat harvest in Colorado is coming to a close and this will be the last harvest report of 2021. According to the July 30th Plains Grains, Inc. Harvest Report, Colorado’s wheat harvest is 99% complete. There is still some activity in parts of Weld and Larimer Counties, where harvest is estimated to be roughly 75% complete. The average test weight has been around 61 pound per bushel, with 12% average protein. Harvest is expected to be complete in these two counties around the middle of next week.

July 23, 2021

As of Friday, July 23, 2021, we estimate wheat harvest in Colorado to be 75% complete. High temperatures in Eastern Colorado continue to keep harvest moving at a rapid pace. A consistent theme across much of the harvest area (mostly Central and Southeast Colorado) is that the extreme heat in mid-June definitely impacted test weights and yield more than was expected. There was better straw in the field than what was coming into the combine bin.

Baca County – Harvest started in this area nearly a month ago. Scattered rain showers and high humidity led to delays in this region. It is estimated that this area is almost 90% complete and should be finished in about a week. Average test weight has been around 57 pounds per bushel, with an average protein of 10.5%.

Prowers County – Harvest is estimated to be 95% complete. The average test weight has been around 58.4 pounds per bushel, with an average protein of 10.4%.

Cheyenne and Kiowa Counties – Harvest is estimated to be 95% complete. Average test weight has been around 57 pounds per bushel, with an average protein of 11%. The average yield in Cheyenne County is estimated to be around 30 bushels per acre.

Kit Carson County – Harvest is estimated to be 92% complete in this area. The average test weight has been around 57.4 pounds per bushel, with an average protein of 11.4%. Yields in this area are wide ranging – anywhere from 15 to 80 bushels per acre.

Lincoln County – Harvest is estimated to be 85% complete. Average test weight has been at 58 pounds per bushel, with an average protein of 10.5%. Yields have been between 15-40 bushels per acre.

 

July 20, 2021

Temperatures in the 90s and little rain allowed harvest progress at a rapid pace throughout Eastern Colorado last week. According to the July 18th USDA-NASS Colorado Crop Progress Report, Colorado is 61% harvested. Colorado’s overall crop condition was rated at 61% good to excellent, 26% fair and 13% poor-very poor.

Yuma County – This area is estimated to be 95% complete. Test weights have averaged 59 pounds per bushel, with an average protein of 10%. The average yield is around 60 bushels per acre.

Washington County – Harvest is roughly 90% complete, with an average test weight of 58.5 pounds and an average protein of 10%. This area saw damage from the Wheat Stem Sawfly, and swathing took place to help producers mitigate losses.

Phillips and Sedgewick Counties – Harvest in this area is estimated to be 94% complete. The average test weight has been around 59 pounds per bushel, with an average protein of 11%. Yields have ranged between 35-75 bushels per acre. There are also reports of damage to fields from the Wheat Stem Sawfly.

Logan County – Harvest is estimated to be about 50% complete. The average test weight has been around 60 pounds per bushel, with an average protein of 11%.

Weld and Morgan Counties – Harvest is estimated to be 80% complete in Morgan County and the southern portion of Weld County. The area has seen an average test weight of 58 pounds per bushel and an average protein of 12.5%. Yields have averaged around 30 bushels per acre. Wheat Stem Sawfly damage continues to be a concern and many fields were swathed. In the northern portion of Weld County and closer to Colorado’s Front Range, harvest started to pick up towards the end of last week and is estimated to be 25% complete. Preliminary numbers show test weights between 55-60 pounds per bushel and protein between 11-13%.

July 13, 2021

Harvest in Colorado continued to progress over the weekend, and now most wheat growing counties in Eastern Colorado have seen some harvest activity. According to the July 10th USDA-NASS Colorado Crop Progress Report, Colorado is 19% harvested. This is behind the 5-year average of 47%. Colorado’s overall crop condition was rated at 54% good to excellent, 28% fair and 18% poor-very poor.

Baca County – Harvest continues to progress slowly in this area due to high humidity. The area is seeing an average test weight of 58 pounds per bushel, and an average protein of 11.5%. Yields are ranging between 20-40 bushels per acre.

Prowers County – Harvest is estimated to be roughly 75% complete in this area. Average test weight has been around 57 pounds per bushel, with an average protein of 10.8%.

Cheyenne and Kiowa Counties – Harvest is estimated to be roughly 60% complete. This area is seeing an average test weight of 57.5 pounds per bushel, and an average protein of 11%. Average yield is around 30 bushels per acre.

Kit Carson County – Harvest is estimated to be roughly 50% complete. The area is seeing an average test weight of 57 pounds per bushel and an average protein of 12%. Yields are ranging between 50-70 bushels per acre.

Lincoln County – Harvest started to pick up in this area over the weekend. Preliminary numbers show an average test weight of 58 pounds per bushel, an average protein of 10.8%, with yields ranging between 20-60 bushels per acre.

Phillips and Sedgewick Counties – Harvest is estimated to be 50% complete. Average test weight is around 59 pounds per bushel, with an average protein of 11%. Yields are ranging between 35-60 bushels per acre.

Logan County – Harvest is now in full force thanks to warm and dry weather over the weekend. Preliminary numbers show test weights between 56-63 pounds per bushel and protein between 8.9-13%.

July 9, 2021

Harvest activity in Colorado is starting to move further north, and it is anticipated to pick up over the weekend due to high temperatures and little precipitation in the forecast.

Kit Carson County – Harvest is in full swing near Burlington and Stratton, however it is just getting started further to the west. Average test weight has been around 57 pounds per bushel, with an average protein of 10%.

Morgan County – Damage from the Wheat Stem Sawfly is very much a concern. Producers are swathing to help mitigate losses from the pest. Combines started cutting earlier this week. Yields are ranging between 30-49 bushels per acre, with test weights between 55-60 pounds per bushel.

Adams and Weld (Southern portion) Counties – Harvest started to pick up around July 7th and progress is slow due to high moisture. Wheat Stem Sawfly damage is also a concern and producers are swathing fields. Preliminary numbers show an average test weight of 54 pounds per bushel, and an average protein of 13%.

Yuma County – Harvest started in the area on July 5th. The area is seeing an average test weight of 57 pounds per acre, average protein of 10%, with yields ranging 60-70 bushels per acre.

July 6, 2021

Wheat harvest in Colorado continues to move at a very slow pace due to rain showers and high humidity in the southeast corner of the state. According to the July 4th USDA-NASS Colorado Crop Progress Report, Colorado is 8% harvested. This is behind the 5-year average of 21%. Colorado’s overall crop condition was rated at 60% good to excellent, 44% fair and 14% poor-very poor.

Harvest in Baca County started almost two weeks ago, but both farmers and elevators in the area anticipate it will take another two to three weeks before it is complete. Test weights in the area are ranging 50-61 pounds per bushel, with protein ranging 8-10%.

Further north in Prowers County, harvest is just getting started. Rain is also leading to delays in this area. Preliminary numbers in this area show an average test weight of 59.9 pounds per bushel and an average protein of 10.7%. Cheyenne and Kiowa Counties are also just starting to cut. The average test weight in this area is currently 56 pounds per bushel, with an average protein of 12%.

In the northeastern corner of the state, harvest started to pick up over the weekend in Phillips County. Preliminary numbers show an average test weight of 58.2 pounds per bushel, with an average protein of 11.2%.

July 1, 2021

Harvest in Colorado has been slowly progressing in the southeast corner of the state over the last week. Rain showers over the past couple of days have delayed getting combines in the fields. This portion of the state also had reports of abandonment earlier this spring due to high winds and little moisture. However, preliminary reports are showing dryland yields as high as 45 bushels per acre, with an average test weight of 60 pounds per bushel and 12% protein.

According to the June 27th USDA NASS Colorado Crop Progress Report, harvest in Colorado is 1% complete, which is slightly behind the 5-year-average of 7%. Colorado’s overall crop condition was rated at 59% good to excellent, 27% fair and 14% poor-very poor.

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