Rain this week slowed harvesting and tilling across the state according to the Indiana Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The corn and soybean harvests are nearing completion and could be finished quickly if farmers are given a period of dry weather, according to reports. Minimal lodging damage in corn was reported after strong winds on Thursday. Winter wheat remained in good condition.
FIELD CROPS REPORT
There were 3.8 days suitable for field work during the week. Seventy-four percent of the corn acreage has been harvested compared with 88 percent last year and 72 percent for the 5-year average. By area 77 percent of the corn crop is harvested in the north, 72 percent in the central region, and 76 percent in the south. Moisture content of harvested corn is averaging about 18 percent.
Eighty-eight percent of the soybean acreage has been harvested compared to 88 percent last year and 87 percent for the 5-year average. By area 91 percent of the soybean acreage is harvested in the north, 92 percent in the central region, and 72 percent in the south. Moisture content of harvested soybeans is averaging about 13 percent.
Ninety-one percent of the winter wheat acreage has been planted compared to 92 percent last year and 87 percent for the 5-year average. Seventy-two percent of the winter wheat acreage has emerged compared to 70 percent last year and 61 percent for the 5-year average. Seventy-three percent of the winter wheat acreage is in good to excellent condition compared to 72 percent last year at this time.
LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE REPORT
Pasture condition was rated 49 percent good to excellent. Livestock remained in mostly good condition due to better than usual pasture conditions for this time of year.