For the week ending Sept. 24, cotton bolls opening had occurred on 84 percent of Arizona’s cotton acreage, 3 percent lower than last year and 11 percent lower than the five-year average. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s (NASS) Arizona office, cotton harvesting was complete on 15 percent of the acreage compared to 10 percent last year and the five-year average of 10 percent.

NASS rated cotton quality as 43 percent good, 39 percent fair, 10 percent excellent and 8 percent poor.

In alfalfa, harvest was active on more than three-quarters of Arizona’s acreage, with 44 percent rated good, 32 percent fair, 13 percent as excellent, 10 percent poor and 1 percent very poor.

Arizona range and pasture conditions were rated 32 percent as very poor, 30 percent fair, 20 percent poor, 15 percent fair and 3 percent excellent.

Arizona temperatures were below normal, ranging from 12 degrees below normal at Canyon De Chelly to 3 degrees below normal at Phoenix and Willcox. The highest temperature was 99 degrees at Roll. The lowest reading was 22 degrees at the Grand Canyon. Precipitation was minimal statewide.