July 22, 2022
Another week of high temperatures in Eastern Colorado meant wheat harvest progressed at a rapid pace. As of today, we are calling Colorado’s 2022 wheat harvest 80% complete and estimate it will be near 100% completion on Monday, July 25th. Many farmers and industry professionals have stated the conditions they faced this year are something they have never seen before. Drought took an extreme toll on the crop, leading to disappointing yields. However, overall crop quality has been better than originally expected.
Lincoln and Western Kit Carson Counties – This area is estimated to be about 85% complete. Yields are still wide ranging – anywhere from 5-40 bushels per acre. Average test weight is 59 pounds per bushel and average protein is 13.5%.
Adams and Arapahoe Counties – This area is also estimated to be 85% complete. Yields are between 5-25 bushels per acre. Damage from the wheat stem sawfly has been a huge concern for this area. Average test weight is around 57 pounds per bushel and average protein is 12.5%.
Weld County – The southern part of the county is estimated to be 95% complete. Average test weight is 58 pounds per bushel and average protein is 12%. Yields are between 5-25 bushels per acre. In the northwestern part of the county, harvest is estimated to be 70% complete. Average test weight is 61 pounds per bushel and average protein is 12.8%.
Logan County – Harvest is estimated to be 95% complete in this area. Yields are between 5-20 bushels per acre. Average test weight is 58.8 pounds per bushel and protein is 12.3%.
July 15, 2022
Wheat harvest in Eastern Colorado has continued to progress over the last week due to temperatures in the high 90s and little rain. According to the July 11th USDA-NASS Colorado Crop Progress Report, Colorado was 28% harvested, and the overall crop condition was rated at 16% good, 31% fair, 27% poor and 26% very poor. We believe Colorado’s wheat harvest will be over 50% complete by Monday, July 18th.
Disappointment is a common theme of the 2022 harvest. Not only has extreme drought taken its toll, but the crop has also faced damage from the wheat stem sawfly, hail and freeze. However, while yields have been low, the crop’s overall quality seems to be holding up.
Baca County – The very limited harvest in this area is starting to wrap-up. Average test weight is 58 pounds per bushel and average protein is 10%.
Prowers, Kiowa and Cheyenne Counties – Harvest is estimated to be about 97% complete in this area. Yields varied, anywhere from 10-60 bushels per acre. Average test weight is 59.9 pounds per bushel and average protein is 12.2%.
Kit Carson County –In the eastern part of the county, harvest is expected to wrap-up by Sunday. In the western part, there is probably about a week left. Average test weight is 59 pounds per bushel and average protein is 12.5%.
Lincoln County – This area is estimated to be about 40% complete. Yields are raging 10-40 bushels per acre. Average test weight is 59 pounds per bushel and average protein 13%. There are also reports of swathing due to damage from the wheat stem sawfly in the northern part of the county.
Yuma, Washington, Phillips and Sedgwick Counties – Harvest is estimated to be about 85% complete. Yields are ranging anywhere from 7-40 bushels per acre. Average test weight is 60 pound per bushel and average protein is 12.6%. Wheat stem sawfly damage is a big concern, especially in Washington County, with reports of fields being swathed.
Logan County – Harvest is estimated to be about 50% complete. Yields are ranging 5-30 bushels per acre. Average test weight is 58 pounds and average protein is 12%.
Morgan and Weld Counties – Yields are mostly between 15-25 bushels per acre. Average test weight is 59 pounds per acre and average protein is 13%.
July 6, 2022
Wheat harvest is officially in full swing across Eastern Colorado. According to the July 3rd USDA-NASS Colorado Crop Progress Report, Colorado is 8% harvested. This is behind the 5-year average of 18%. Colorado’s overall crop condition was rated at 17% good, 34% fair, 26% poor and 23% very poor.
Harvest in Baca County has been going for about a week, however it is moving slowly. As mentioned in the previous harvest report, Baca County is facing a high rate of abandonment on dryland acres due to the ongoing drought. What is left is mostly irrigated. Average test weight is at 59 pounds per bushel and protein is ranging 10 to 14.6%.
Further north in Prowers, Cheyenne, and Kiowa Counties, harvest also started about a week ago. Currently the average test weight is at 59 pounds per bushel and the average protein is at 12.5%. Yields are ranging between 10 to 35 bushels per acre.
Harvest is estimated to be 25% complete in Kit Carson County. Average test weight is around 60 pounds per bushel and average protein is 12%. Yields are wide ranging – anywhere from 15 to 70 bushels per acre.
Harvest in Northeastern Colorado continues to progress. The average test weight continues to hold at 60 pounds per bushel, with protein ranging 12-14%. Yuma County is believed to be about 50% complete with harvest, while Phillips, Sedgewick and Logan Counties are just getting started. Yields are ranging anywhere from 10 to 40 bushels per acre.
July 1st, 2022
Wheat harvest has officially started in Colorado. However it seems to be sporadic and moving very slowly. There is very little to report out of Baca County due to the high rate of abandonment. Further north in Prowers and Kiowa counties, things started to pick up around Wednesday of this week. Preliminary numbers show average test weight around 60 lbs. per bushel, while protein is ranging anywhere from 8-13%. Yields are anywhere from 10-20 bushels per acre.
Harvest also started in Yuma County around June 23rd and in Phillips County around June 29th. Test weights are ranging from 58-61 lbs per bushel and the protein is 11-13%. Yields are all over the board in this region – anywhere from 10-40 bushels per acre, with an average probably around 25. Several farmers in the area that think things will really start to pick up around the 4th of July. There are also reports of swathing occurring in the east-central part of the state to help mitigate damage from the wheat stem sawfly.