Row crops in good to excellent condition

Precipitation totals and average temperatures varied drastically for the week ending Sept. 2, not only across the state, but also within counties, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, New Mexico. Row crops were reported to be in good to excellent condition where moisture has been received; however, isolated dryness led to bare ground in some locations. Topsoil moisture levels were reported as 37 percent adequate to surplus, compared with 35 percent last week, 77 percent last year, and a 5-year average of 47 percent. Corn for silage harvest progress was steady in many areas. In Lea County, good rains during the week benefitted the cotton crop, and it was mentioned that some warm days were needed to finish maturing some fields. Precipitation was recorded at 42 out of 46 reporting weather stations, with El Morro, at 1.18 inches, reporting the largest accumulation during the week. Cloudcroft and Gila Hot Spring also reported rainfall totals over an inch during the week. Average temperatures ranged from 9 degrees below to 7 degrees above normal. Daytime highs varied from 75 degrees at Los Alamos to 103 degrees at Carlsbad. Overnight lows ranged from 28 degrees at Angel Fire to 67 degrees at Carlsbad. Pecan nut set was reported as 50 percent light, 45 percent moderate, and 5 percent heavy. Hail damage in all crops was reported as 1 percent light, 1 percent moderate, and 1 percent severe. Wind damage in all crops was reported as 4 percent light and 6 percent moderate.