Spring fieldwork in full swing

Substantial rainfall continued to elude much of New Mexico for the week ending June 10, increasing year-to-date deficits in many areas, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, New Mexico. The United States Drought Monitor released on June 7 categorized exceptional drought (D4) across 18.2 percent of New Mexico, a minimal reduction compared with the previous week. Severe to extreme drought (D2-D3) was now reportedly covering 70.3 percent of the state. Overall, conditions rated abnormally dry or worse blanketed 99.9 percent of New Mexico. Topsoil moisture levels were reported as 23 percent adequate to surplus, compared with 29 percent last week, 44 percent last year, and a 5-year average of 35 percent. Wildfire danger remained high, with several fires currently burning across the state. Spring fieldwork was in full swing, with over 50 percent of the major row crops already planted. Depending on location, irrigation water shortages remained a high concern amongst producers. Precipitation was recorded at 28 out of 46 reporting weather stations, with Caprock, at 1.20 inches, reporting the largest accumulation during the week.