NEW MEXICO CROP PROGRESS
United States Department of Agriculture
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE
NEW MEXICO FIELD OFFICE
PO Box 1809, Las Cruces,  NM 88004
Cooperating with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2022
Contact: Rodger Ott
(800) 392-3202

CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION
WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 4, 2022

AGRICULTURAL SUMMARY:  A weaker monsoon resulted in diminished rainfall totals that were more isolated during the week, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. Generally, soil moisture levels were stable, while crop and pasture conditions showed slight improvements. Statewide, topsoil moisture was reported as 54 percent adequate to surplus, compared with 54 percent last week, 36 percent last year, and a 5‑year average of 36 percent. Additionally, 41 percent of the pastures and ranges were reported in good to excellent condition, compared with 38 percent last week, 23 percent last year, and a 5‑year average of 23 percent. Producers across the State were busy harvesting alfalfa hay, with production in most northern counties slowing, while growers with fields in the south were staring on their fifth cutting for the year. Green chile was being harvested at a quick pace, with 77 percent of the crop out of the fields by week’s end. This is roughly 13 days ahead of last year’s harvest pace. With adequate soil moisture in many fields, winter wheat producers were busy seeding the 2023 crop. Converted moisture totals during the past week ranged from over 3 inches to only a trace or none in some areas. In a change from recent weeks, the heavier accumulations were confined to southeastern New Mexico. According to the United States Drought Monitor for August 30, drought conditions continued to show some week‑to‑week improvement following continued monsoonal moisture. Roughly 10 percent of the State remained categorized in the exceptional (D4) or extreme (D3) drought categories – 0.2 and 10.2 percent, respectively. For comparison, June 9, 2020, was the most recent date when less land area was classified across the two categories. Severe drought (D2) increased to cover 48.1 percent of New Mexico, while moderate drought (D1) increased its presence to account for 29.2 percent. The area noted in abnormal dryness increased to 11.3 percent of the State. Drought-free conditions, at 0.9 percent, maintained their hold in Dona Ana and Otero Counties, although a slight increase in area covered was noted. Hail damage in all crops was reported as 1 percent light. Wind damage in all crops was reported as 4 percent light, 4 percent moderate, and 2 percent severe. Pecan nut set was reported as 99 percent moderate and 1 percent light. Hay and roughage supplies were reported as 7 percent very short, 35 percent short, 55 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus, compared with 18 percent very short, 23 percent short, 44 percent adequate, and 15 percent surplus last year. Stock water supplies were reported as 20 percent very short, 28 percent short, 50 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus, compared with 14 percent very short, 18 percent short, 66 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus last year.

CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROGRESS	
Commodity	Current week	Previous week	Previous year	5-year average	
	(percent)	(percent)	(percent)	(percent)	
Alfalfa hay					
	3rd cutting harvested		99	93	NA	NA	
	4th cutting harvested		60	32	81	79	
	5th cutting harvested		9	NA	13	29	
Chile					
	Green harvested		77	66	62	60	
Corn					
	Doughed		60	41	72	67	
	Dented		6	5	48	41	
	Harvested for silage		6	3	26	31	
Cotton					
	Setting bolls		79	60	78	79	
	Bolls opening		4	1	4	11	
Winter wheat					
	Planted		14	1	13	21	
					
Cattle and calves					
	Receiving supplemental feed		55	57	35	NA	
Sheep and lambs					
	Receiving supplemental feed		20	25	60	NA	
NA – not available
(--) – zero

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION	
	Current week	Previous week	Previous year	5-year average	
Days suitable for fieldwork		6.9	6.4	6.6	6.6	
					
Topsoil moisture	(percent)	(percent)	(percent)	(percent)	
	Very short		8	8	26	23	
	Short		38	38	38	41	
	Adequate		52	52	32	33	
	Surplus		2	2	4	3	
Subsoil moisture					
	Very short		17	17	36	30	
	Short		47	48	36	40	
	Adequate		35	34	25	28	
	Surplus		1	1	3	2	
NA – not available
(--) – zero

CROP, LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITION	
Commodity	Current week	Previous week	Previous year	5-year average	
	(percent)	(percent)	(percent)	(percent)	
Alfalfa hay					
	Very poor		--	1	2	4	
	Poor		3	4	7	8	
	Fair		24	27	18	22	
	Good		59	56	39	49	
	Excellent		14	12	34	17	
Corn					
	Very poor		4	4	--	2	
	Poor		5	6	5	5	
	Fair		30	35	39	37	
	Good		20	15	31	37	
	Excellent		41	40	25	19	
Cotton					
	Very poor		5	5	--	2	
	Poor		29	31	19	15	
	Fair		36	38	41	40	
	Good		24	21	31	35	
	Excellent		6	5	9	8	
Pasture and range					
	Very poor		3	4	7	12	
	Poor		24	26	24	28	
	Fair		32	32	46	37	
	Good		30	26	17	18	
	Excellent		11	12	6	5	
Peanuts					
	Very poor		5	5	--	1	
	Poor		7	7	9	11	
	Fair		75	75	32	50	
	Good		13	13	59	38	
	Excellent		--	--	--	--	
Pecans					
	Very poor		1	1	--	--	
	Poor		4	5	5	1	
	Fair		17	18	6	9	
	Good		36	38	88	71	
	Excellent		42	38	1	19	
					
Cattle and calves					
	Very poor		1	1	7	4	
	Poor		5	10	6	8	
	Fair		25	30	23	37	
	Good		38	35	43	38	
	Excellent		31	24	21	13	
Sheep and lambs					
	Very poor		--	--	15	8	
	Poor		2	4	9	8	
	Fair		25	30	25	28	
	Good		55	56	44	51	
	Excellent		18	10	7	5	
NA – not available
(--) – zero