2024 Colorado Wheat Harvest Report

July 17, 2024

Harvest is nearing completion across most of Eastern Colorado, making this our final harvest report. As of today, we estimate that Colorado’s 2024 wheat harvest is 90% complete, significantly ahead of the 5-year average of 39%, according to USDA-NASS.

• Lincoln County – Harvest is expected to be wrapped up by the end of the week. Yields range 20-55 bushels per acre, with an average test weight of 60 pounds per bushel and an average protein of 11%.
• Adams and Arapahoe Counties – This area is estimated to be about 85% complete. Yields are variable, ranging 30 to 65 bushels per acre. The average test weight is around 60 pounds per bushel and average protein is 12 percent.
• Washington, Morgan, and Logan Counties – Harvest is estimated to be 90% complete. The average test weight is 59 pounds per bushel and the average protein is around 11%.
• Yuma, Phillips, and Sedgwick Counties – Harvest is estimated to be 90% complete. Yields range 40-60 bushels per acre, with an average test weight of 60 pounds per bushel and an average protein of 12%.
• Western Weld and Eastern Larimer Counties – Harvest in this area started about 9 days ago, and is expected to last at least another week. Currently, the average test weight is 60 pounds per bushel and average protein is 12%.

July 11, 2024

According to the July 8th USDA-NASS Colorado Crop Progress Report, Colorado was 51% harvested, and the overall crop condition was rated 8% excellent, 45% good, 28% fair, 12% poor, and 7% very poor. Harvest in the southeast corner of the state is wrapping up, despite rain delays. Rain totals have ranged anywhere from 0.2 in. to 2.5 in. over the past week.

• Baca County – Harvest is expected to wrap up over the weekend. Yields range 10 to 50 bushels per acre, with an average test weight of 59 pounds/bushel and an average protein of 12%.

• Prowers County – Harvest is nearly complete. Overall yields were disappointing. However, the wheat’s overall quality is decent, with an average test weight of 61 pounds per bushel and an average protein of 11%.

• Kiowa County – Harvest is wrapping up and this area is expected to be finished by early next week. Yields range from 15 to 25 bushels per acre, with an average test weight of 60 pounds per bushel and an average protein of 11%.

• Cheyenne County – Harvest is estimated to be about 85% complete in this area. Yields range from 20 to 50 bushels per acre, with average yield around 25 bushels per acre. The average test weight is 59 pounds per bushel and average protein is 12%.

Eastern Colorado will be experiencing a heat wave over the next five days, with highs at or near 100 degrees. These conditions will speed up progress across all of Eastern Colorado. 

CSU Crops Testing is releasing variety trial results as they become available. Results can be found here.

July 3, 2024

According to the July 1^st USDA-NASS Colorado Crop Progress Report, Colorado was 23% harvested, and the overall crop condition was rated 8% excellent, 32% good, 35% fair, 15% poor, and 10% very poor. Harvest continued to move further north over the last week, however rain and higher-than-normal humidity has delayed progress.

• Kit Carson County: Harvest activity started to pick up in the Burlington area on June 26^th. Yields are variable, ranging anywhere from 30 to 80 bushels per acre. Average test weight is holding at 60 pounds per bushel and average protein is at 12%.
• Yuma/Phillips/Sedgwick Counties: Activity started on June 28^th, however rain has hindered progress. Yields are ranging 50 to 70 bushels per acre, with average protein at 61 pounds per bushel and average protein at 11.3%.
• Adams, Southeastern Weld and Morgan Counties: Harvest started on July 1^st for much of this area. Preliminary numbers show test weights ranging 60-62 pounds per bushel and protein between 9-14%. Yields are variable, ranging from 30 to 65 bushels per acre.

As mentioned earlier, rain and humidity have hindered progress in much of Eastern Colorado. Temperatures are expected to be in the low to mid 80s for the next five days, with very little chance of moisture, meaning things will most likely progress rapidly.

June 28, 2024

Harvest began about 10 days ago in the southeast corner of the state. Preliminary data shows extremely variable yields, although the overall crop quality appears to be good.

• Baca County: Yields range from 20 to 50 bushels per acre. Test weights are between 58 to 62 pounds per bushel, with protein ranging from 10% to 13%.
• Prowers County: Harvest activity picked up at the beginning of this week. Test weights average 61 pounds per bushel, with an average protein of 11%. Due to dry conditions, there has been a significant amount of crop abandonment, so harvest in this area is expected to be quick.
• Cheyenne County: Harvest began on June 21^st, but really picked up on June 24^th. Yields range from 5 to 45 bushels per acre, with an average test weight of 60 pounds per bushel and an average protein of 12%.
• Kiowa County: Harvest activity picked up around June 22nd. The average test weight is around 60 pounds per bushel, and the average protein is around 11%. Yields range from 15 to 35 bushels per acre. It is anticipated that harvest will take at least another week to complete in this area.

Most of Eastern Colorado has experienced extremely high temperatures with high winds over the past week. These conditions are accelerating crop maturation. Harvest activity is starting to increase north of I-70, and a harvest report for that area will be released next week.