August 3, 2023
Multiple days of warm temperatures allowed harvest to progress across Eastern Colorado over the past week, but continued rain showers have slowed completion of harvest. As of today, we are calling Colorado’s 2023 wheat harvest roughly 85% complete. This is behind the five year average of 95%. This is shaping up to be in the top 4-5 latest completions to wheat harvest in Colorado on record. Many growers have never harvested wheat in August before, so this is a new experience.
Most of the remaining activity is in the central part of the state (Adams, Arapahoe, Weld and Larimer Counties). Average test weight in these counties has been holding around 59 lbs./bushel, with average protein around 10.5%. Rain tends to lower test weight on wheat that is mature, and too much rain on ripe wheat can cause it to sprout. Right warm and dry weather is needed, not to further mature the crop, but rather to improve the field conditions. The seven day forecast is for mostly sunny and fairly warm weather. Hopefully this will allow for harvest to be mostly complete in Colorado by the middle of next week.
July 27, 2023
Several days of hot temperatures allowed Colorado’s wheat harvest to make huge strides over the last week. As of today, we are calling Colorado harvest 65% complete.
Colorado’s wheat harvest is running much later this year. According to the USDA-NASS Crop Condition Report that was released earlier this week (Week 29), Colorado was 48% harvested as of July 23. Going off of week 29 data from past years, that makes the 2023 wheat harvest the latest the state has seen since 1995. The chart below shows week 29 percent of harvest completed since 1981.
There is still some activity in the southeast corner of the state, but harvest is expected to be wrapped up by the end of the week. Moving further north in to the east central part of Colorado, harvest is estimated to be roughly 50% complete. Yields have varied, ranging anywhere from 20-100 bushels per acre. The average test weight is around 58 lbs./bushel and the average protein is around 10%. Parts of northwestern Kit Carson County and northeastern Lincoln County have had several hail storms that have caused significant damage to fields.
Harvest in northeastern Colorado (Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick and Yuma Counties) is estimated to be about 75% complete. Average test weight has dropped to be around 58 lbs./bushel, with average protein holding at around 10.5%.
Harvest in Morgan, Adams, and the southeastern portion of Weld Counties is estimated to be roughly 35% complete. Average yields are reported to be around 60 bushels/acre, with an average test weight of 60 lbs./bushel and average protein of 10.4%.
July 21st, 2023
Wheat harvest saw progress earlier in the week due to temperatures in the high 90s throughout much of Eastern Colorado. However mid-week storms have led to delays due to high moisture and humidity. According to the July 17th USDA-NASS Colorado Crop Progress Report, Colorado was 20% harvested, and the overall crop condition was rated 3% very poor, 11% poor, 24% fair, 43% good and 19% excellent.
In the southeastern corner of the state, specifically Prowers and Baca counties, harvest is estimated to be nearly 85% complete. The wheat that remains in fields is facing weed pressure and is expected to be low-yielding. Yields in this area have ranged 5-20 bushels/acre, with test weights averaging around 57 lbs./bushel and protein averaging around 11%. It has been a disappointing year in this part of the state. Extreme drought conditions in the fall and winter months led to high rates of abandonment, and hail later in the year caused damage to some of the remaining crop. However, the recent rainfall has brought some optimism that it will be a good year for spring crops.
Moving further north into Cheyenne and Kiowa Counties, yields are ranging 20-50 bushels/acre. Average test weight is around 59 lbs./bushel and average protein is around 11%.
Harvest in Kit Carson County started to pick up this week. Yields (especially in the Burlington area) are very promising, ranging between 50 – 100 bushels/acre. Average test weight is holding right around 60 lbs./bushel and average protein is around 11%.
Harvest also started to pick up earlier this week in the northeastern part of Lincoln County. Yields are varied in this area, running anywhere from 10-70 bushels/acre. Unfortunately a storm moved through the area last night bringing high winds and hail.
In the northeastern corner of the state (Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick and Yuma Counties), harvest is estimated to be 50% complete. Average test weight continues to hold around 59 lbs./bushel and average protein around 11%. Yields are ranging between 50-80 bushels/acre. This area has also seen hail damage.
Harvest in Morgan, Adams, and the southeastern portion of Weld Counties also started earlier this week. Early reports show yields ranging between 40-70 bushels/acre, with an average test weight of 60 lbs./bushel and average protein of 10%.
As mentioned earlier, recent storms have caused delays in most of the state. Many anticipate that they will be able to start again on Sunday. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-90s next week and there is little chance of rain in the forecast, meaning things will most likely progress rapidly.
July 14th, 2023
The 2023 wheat harvest has started in Colorado, but it is progressing very slowly due to rain and high humidity levels. According to the July 9th USDA-NASS Colorado Crop Progress Report, Colorado is 1% harvested. This is behind the 5-year average of 32%. Colorado’s overall crop condition was rated at 2% very poor, 12% poor, 27% fair, 48% good and 11% excellent.
Harvest in Baca County is estimated to be roughly 20% complete and keeps facing delays due to rain. This area has a high rate of abandonment as it faced extreme drought conditions throughout the fall and winter. Yields are ranging 5-15 bushels/acre, while test weights are between 56-60 lbs./bushel and protein is anywhere from 10 to 12%. Very little activity is being reported in Prowers County, however it is expected to pick up over the weekend with high temperatures and little chance of rain in the forecast.
Further north in Cheyenne County, harvest was starting to pick up on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, but is expected to be delayed today as storms moved through the area bringing rain. Preliminary numbers show an average test weight of 56 lbs./bushel and an average protein of 11%. Yields are ranging between 30-50 bushels/acre.
There is some harvest activity in the northeastern corner of the state, but it is being slowed by high humidity levels. This area has been hit with damaging hail storms causing fields to be zeroed out. However, fields that were missed by the storms are showing yields ranging between 60-80 bushels/acre. Average test weight is around 59 lbs. /bushel and average protein is around 11%.