Winter wheat condition, soil moisture levels continue to deteriorate

Warm, windy and dry weather persisted across much of New Mexico during the first 25 days of March, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, New Mexico. Precipitation totaled less than 25 percent or normal throughout the eastern half of the state. Comments from numerous counties conveyed a dire need for substantial moisture as high winds were quickly drying soils, and fire danger continued to worsen. In fact, fires in Union County were reported to have burned approximately 20,000 acres. It was also noted that corn producers in Union County were beginning to cultivate their fields; however, they anticipated planting less corn acreage due to the lack of moisture. Precipitation was reported at 28 out of 45 weather stations, although total accumulations were below normal.

High winds coupled with persistently dry weather resulted in the further deterioration of soil moisture levels and winter wheat condition for the week ending April 1. According to the United States Drought Monitor released on March 29, extreme drought blanketed the northern third of the state. Ninety-nine percent of the state was categorized as abnormally dry or worse, with 34.1 percent, 43.8 percent, and 20.8 percent experiencing extreme, moderate, or severe drought, respectively. Overall, topsoil moisture levels were reported as 7 percent adequate to surplus, compared with 8 percent last week, 33 percent last year, and a five-year average of 29 percent.