Crop Watch is presented by Trupointe Cooperative – with a brand new location now open in Milford, Indiana.
Continued scattered rainfall this week prevented some farmers from working in the fields as fall harvest approaches, according to the USDA, NASS, Great Lakes Region. For the week ending August 31, 2014, average temperatures ranged from 71 to 82 degrees, and from 4 degrees to 11 degrees above normal. The lowest recorded temperature for the week was 55 degrees; the highest, 96 degrees. The statewide average temperature for the week was 76.7 degrees, 4.4 degrees above normal. Recorded precipitation ranged from 0.00 to 3.69 inches, with a statewide average of 1.29 inches.
By region, corn denting was 57% in South, 53% in Central, and 45% in North. By region, corn mature was 9% in South, 11% in Central, and 5% in North. By region, soybeans dropping leaves was 7% in South, 11% in Central, and 10% in North Flooding and crop damage remains for some regions of the State, but overall the added moisture is helping to finish out crops. The precipitation and humidity, however, have raised concerns over disease. Corn silage and seed corn harvest have begun. Processing tomato harvest continued. The rainy weather has slowed hay cutting, as fields remain damp. Farmers continue to mow roadsides, haul grain, and prepare harvest equipment for the coming months. Indiana corn was rated 74% good to excellent and soybeans at 70% good to excellent.
Nationally US crops ended the month of august on a very good note with conditions rated at a 20 year high. Corn conditions were estimated by the USDA at 74% in “Good” or “Excellent” condition, a 1% increase from last week and an 8% increase from last year. 19% was considered “Fair”, a 1% decrease from last week, while only 7% was considered “Poor” or “Very Poor.” Of the Corn Belt states, Illinois had the most corn rated “Excellent” at 30%, followed by Iowa and Indiana with 25% and 22% respectively.
Corn doughing was reported at 90%, a 7% increase from last week and 1% ahead of the five-year average. Corn dented was reported at 53%, an 18% increase from the previous week, but 6% behind the five-year average. Mature corn was estimated by the USDA for the first time this week. 8% of the corn was deemed mature, 4% ahead of this time last year, but 8% behind the five year average. Of the five largest corn producing states, Indiana and Nebraska reported the most mature corn both with 8%, Minnesota was the least with 0% mature.
Soybean conditions were reported as 72% of the crop in “Good” or “Excellent” condition, a 2% increase from last week and an 18% increase from last year. 22% was reported in “Fair” condition, a 1% decrease from last week, while only 6% was reported as “Poor” or “Very Poor.” Of the five largest soybean producing states, Illinois and Iowa had the most crop rated “Excellent,” both at 23%.
Soybeans setting pods were reported at 95%, a 5% increase from last week and even with the five-year average. Nebraska had the most soybeans setting pods at 95% and Minnesota had the least at 92%. The USDA reported soybeans dropping leaves for the first time this week. 5% of the U.S. soybean crop was reported at the leaf dropping stage, 2% ahead of this time last year, but 2% behind the five-year average. Of the five largest soybean producing states, Indiana had the most soybeans dropping leaves with 10%, both Iowa and Minnesota reported 0%.
