Degree Days and Climate Change: Is There a Cause for Concern in Southeastern NM?.

Southeastern New Mexico produces $329 million in agricultural products including alfalfa, corn, sorghum, sundangrass, winter grains for forage, and pecans. Each crop has a distinct growing season with established cardinal temperatures that govern their growth and development. Fifty-eight years of weather records from the Agricultural Science Center at Artesia were evaluated for events and trends that could impact planting and maturity dates. Long season crops such as cotton require as many heat units as possible to reach maturity. Corn requires that tasseling occurs while temperatures are below XF. Corn has typically be been sown so as to time tasseling after the hotter days of June and early July. Changes in climate may necessitate changes in management practices. Alfalfa management may remain unchanged or with increasing temperatures more water or alternative varieties may be needed to remain economically competitive. Pecans also require heating degree days to initiate bud break. Warmer spring days coupled with late spring frosts could change the pecan management practices.