Extremely dry weather continues to degrade crop condition

Extremely dry weather across the state for the week ending April 8 continued to degrade crop conditions and soil moisture as well as slowed crop progress, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, New Mexico. According to the United States Drought Monitor released on April 5, extreme drought blanketed the northern third of New Mexico and severe drought covered the central portion. Ninety-nine percent of the state was categorized as abnormally dry or worse for the second week in a row. Overall, topsoil moisture levels were reported as 7 percent adequate to surplus, compared with 7 percent last week, 40 percent last year, and a 5-year average of 30 percent. Spring plowing and planting was noted in Union County as well as cattle being moved from corn stocks to wheat. Most counties noted the dry windy weather and swings in temperature from extremely hot to cold. Precipitation was recorded at only 4 out of 44 reporting weather stations, with every reporting weather station recording below normal levels.