Most Arizona cotton growers have parked the planters until next spring now that 97 percent of the state’s planting is in the ground, according to May 29 figures from the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s (NASS) Arizona Field Office.

Planted cotton acreage compares to 95 percent complete a week before, and the 5-year average of 94 percent. Cotton squaring continues to increase across the state.

Durum wheat was rated 35 percent mature, compared to 15 percent a week earlier, and a 49 percent 5-year average. NASS rated 50 percent of the barley crop mature, up from 28 percent a week earlier, and a 64 percent 5-year average.

Alfalfa harvest was active on three-quarters of the state’s acreage with 52 percent of the crop rated good, 27 percent fair, 17 percent excellent, and 4 percent poor.

Western Arizona growers shipped cantaloupes, honeydews, mixed melons, and seeded and seedless watermelons, NASS reported. Producers in central Arizona shipped cantaloupes, carrots, honeydews, potatoes, dry onions, and seeded and seedless watermelons.