Planting of corn and soybeans rapidly advanced during the week, according to the Indiana Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Some farmers have completed planting their corn acreage while others have not started because of the earliness of the season. However, planting of corn and soybeans continued at a record pace, moving ahead of 2010 when approximately 39 percent of the corn and 6 percent of the soybeans had been planted. Cool temperatures and dry topsoil conditions in some areas have slowed emergence and growth of the major field crops. Frost has caused some damage to crops but the extent is still being monitored at this time. Some hay has already been cut, which is very early.
FIELD CROPS REPORT
There were 5.0 days suitable for field work during the week. Forty-six percent of the intended corn acreage has been planted compared with 2 percent last year and 10 percent for the 5-year average. The national number stands at 28 percent with 9 percent emerged.
By area, 42 percent of the crop has been planted in the north, 47 percent in the central region and 50 percent in the south. Ten percent of corn acreage has emerged compared with 0 percent last year and 1 percent for the 5-year average.
Eleven percent of the intended soybean acreage has been planted compared with 0 percent last year and 1 percent for the 5-year average. The first reported national soybean planted number is 6 percent.
By area in Indiana, 11 percent of the soybean crop has been planted in the north, 12 percent in the central region and 9 percent in the south.
Sixty-nine percent of the winter wheat acreage is jointed compared with 33 percent last year and 38 percent for the 5-year average. Nineteen percent of the winter wheat acreage has headed compared with 0 percent for both last year and the 5-year average. Winter wheat condition declined slightly from last week and is now rated 76 percent good to excellent compared with 61percent last year at this time.
LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE REPORT
Livestock are reported to be in mostly good condition at this time. Calving and lambing went very well this spring with few problems reported. Pasture condition is rated 73 percent good to excellent compared with 48 percent last year at this time.