Pastures, ranges in need of rain

New Mexico

There were 6.9 days suitable for field work during the week ending June 18, and many farmers spent the week irrigating and harvesting, according to the New Mexico Agricultural Statistics Service, June 19.

Topsoil moisture was 49 percent very short, 40 percent short, and 11 percent adequate. Wind damage was 23 percent light, 17 percent moderate, and 7 percent severe.

Alfalfa was reported as 1 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 63 percent good and 5 percent excellent with 90 percent of the second cutting complete and 22 percent of the third cutting complete.

Irrigated sorghum was reported as mostly good condition and 83 percent planted. Dry sorghum was reported as very poor to poor condition and 90 percent planted. Total sorghum planted is 88 percent, condition reported as 33 percent very poor, 33 percent poor, 1 percent fair, and 33 percent good.

Irrigated winter Wheat condition was reported as poor to good with 14 percent harvested. Dryland Wheat condition was reported as very poor to poor with 78 percent harvested. Total Wheat was reported as 59 percent very poor, 15 percent poor, 9 percent fair and 17 percent good and 56 percent harvested.

Peanuts were reported as fair to excellent and 5 percent pegged. Pecan conditions were fair to excellent. Cotton was reported as 18 percent fair, 64 percent good and 18 percent excellent with 33 percent squaring. Chile condition was in fair to excellent condition. Onions were in fair to excellent condition with 60 percent harvested. Corn condition was in mostly fair to good condition. Fires in the northwest have caused poor air quality, although no reports as of yet on damages.

Cattle conditions were reported at 3 percent very poor, 16 percent poor, 53 percent fair, 14 percent good and 14 percent excellent. Sheep were 14 percent very poor, 46 percent poor, 35 percent fair, and 5 percent good. Ranges and pastures are needing moisture with conditions reported as 39 percent very poor, 38 percent poor, 18 percent fair, and 5 percent good. Farmers and ranchers report no rain and ranchers are decreasing their cattle numbers. Ranchers continue to supplement feed and haul water with reports of difficulty obtaining hay. Cattle conditions are up because of supplemental feeding.

Date: 6/22/06

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