Thunderstorms moved across the state during the week causing some wind damage and flash flooding, according to the Indiana Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Some southern counties received heavy rainfall leaving standing water in many crop fields. The major field crops showed good growth with the warm temperatures early in the week and ample moisture. Winter wheat harvest continued where weather permitted with good yields being reported. Some wheat acreage was blown down during the week’s storms. Wet weather kept spraying of herbicides and cutting of hay to a minimum.
FIELD CROPS REPORT
There were 3.1 days suitable for field work during the week. Corn condition improved and is rated 79 percent good to excellent compared with 19 percent last year at this time. Nationally 67 percent of corn acres are rated good to excellent.
Planting of soybeans is nearing completion in most areas with the exception of some southern counties and double cropped acreage. Ninety-six percent of the soybean acreage has emerged compared with 100 percent last year and 93 percent for the 5-year average. Soybean condition is rated 74 percent good to excellent compared with 20 percent last year at this time. National soybean good to excellent rating is now at 67 percent.
Twenty-seven percent of the winter wheat acreage has been harvested compared with 88 percent last year and 47 percent for the 5-year average. Winter wheat condition is rated 76 percent good to excellent at this time.
LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE REPORT
Livestock were in mostly good condition with adequate grazing and no health issues reported. Pasture condition is rated 79 percent good to excellent compared with 6 percent last year at this time. First cutting of alfalfa hay is nearing completion, and the second cutting is 7 percent complete compared with 85 percent last year and 27 percent for the 5-year average.
Source: NASS