New Mexico

There were 7 days suitable for field work, during the week ending July 17, and many farmers were busy irrigating and harvesting crops, according to the New Mexico Agricultural Statistics Service, July 18.

Topsoil moisture was 26 percent very short, 54 percent short, 19 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Wind damage was 18 percent light and 10 percent moderate. Hail damage was 7 percent moderate.

Alfalfa was in mostly fair to excellent condition with 100 percent of the second cutting complete, 87 percent of the third cutting complete and 20 percent of the fourth cutting complete. Cotton was 84 percent squared, 23 percent setting bolls and condition was reported as 10 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 39 percent fair, 25 percent good and 19 percent excellent.

Corn was in mostly fair to good condition and was 63 percent silked and 1 percent doughed. Sorghum was 7 percent headed and condition was 24 percent poor, 48 percent fair, 27 percent good and 1 percent excellent . Wheat was 100 percent harvested.

Peanuts were in mostly good to excellent condition with 64 percent pegged. Chile condition was 9 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 54 percent good and 7 percent excellent. Onions were 80 percent harvested. Apples were in very poor to fair condition. Pecans were in mostly fair to excellent condition.

Ranchers were busy maintaining water; many are hauling water and are beginning to supplement feed livestock. We received some reports that range and pasture conditions are being reduced by the large number of grasshoppers in the state. Cattle was reported as 1 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 42 percent good and 16 percent excellent. Sheep were 5 percent very poor, 17 percent poor, 44 percent fair, 29 percent good and 5 percent excellent. Range and pasture was reported as 8 percent very poor, 25 percent poor, 45 percent fair, 20 percent good and 2 percent excellent.

Date: 7/21/05