CROP SUMMARY FOR THE WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 4, 2005

NEW MEXICO: There were 6.5 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was 6% very short, 33% short, 60% adequate and 1% surplus. Wind damage was 11% light, 8% moderate and 1% severe. Farmers were busy planting wheat and harvesting silage and green chile. Alfalfa was in mostly fair to excellent condition with 93% of the fourth cutting complete, 46% of the fifth cutting complete and 16% of the sixth cutting complete. Cotton was in mostly fair to excellent condition with 100% setting bolls and 20% bolls opening. Corn was in fair to excellent condition with 100% doughed, 75% dented and 15% mature. Corn silage was 52% harvested. Sorghum was in mostly fair to good condition with 94% headed, 30% colored and 4% mature. Wheat was 38% planted. Peanuts were in fair to good condition. Lettuce was in fair to excellent condition and was 85% planted. Chile was 54% harvested with conditions reported as 12% poor, 23% fair, 52% good and 13% excellent. Apples were in very poor to fair condition. Pecans were in fair to excellent condition. Ranchers were busy branding and preparing calves to market. Cattle were reported as 6% poor, 15% fair, 69% good and 10% excellent. Sheep were 3% very poor, 6% poor, 16% fair, 54% good and 21% excellent. Range and pasture conditions were 4% very poor, 16% poor, 31% fair, 45% good and 4% excellent.

WEATHER SUMMARY

Relatively moist air remained over New Mexico during the week, helping to fuel a daily round of showers and thunderstorms that produced measurable rainfall at most reporting locations. Heaviest activity occurred in the Plains on Thursday, with Tucumcari reporting 2.93 inches of rain. Temperatures for the week ranged from close to normal in the east to generally 5 to 7 degrees above normal in the far west.