Continued rainfall has left saturated soils and standing water across most of the state, according to the Indiana Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Many areas have experienced flooding along rivers and streams. Temperatures were as much as 9 degrees below normal during the week with fairly widespread frost reported. Soil temperatures have not warmed up much in the last few weeks and are hovering around 50 degrees. Corn planted acreage remained at one percent complete which is approximately 21 days behind the 5-year average pace. Weeds are becoming very prevalent in many fields and will require spraying before planting can occur. Some winter wheat fields, or portions of fields, will be abandoned due to damage from standing water.
FIELD CROPS REPORT
There were 1.0 days suitable for field work during the week. One percent of the intended corn acreage has been planted at this time compared with 67 percent last year and 30 percent for the 5-year average. Nationally corn planting advanced only one percent to 5 percent, lagging the five year average for this day of 31 percent. Planting of soybeans remained on hold again this week.
Forty-seven percent of the winter wheat acreage is jointed compared with 85 percent last year and 60 percent for the 5-year average. Winter wheat condition is rated 70 percent good to excellent compared with 75 percent last year at this time.
Major activities during the week included: applying anhydrous ammonia, hauling grain to market, spraying herbicides, monitoring and clearing debris from field drains, preparing planting equipment and taking care of livestock.
LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE REPORT
Livestock remained in mostly good condition in spite of muddy feedlots and pastures. Pasture condition continued to improve and is rated 61 percent good to excellent compared with 70 percent last year at this time.
Source; Indiana NASS