NE Indiana Lagging Behind in Planting
Statewide, 43 % of Indiana corn has been planted and 15% of the soybeans are in; but, in NE Indiana, it is a different story. NE Indiana has been cold, wet, and not conducive to planting. According to Lance Shepherd, with DuPont Pioneer, “We have had several weeks of cold and wet conditions, so I would estimate we only have about 30% of our corn in and maybe 5-7% of the soybeans.” According to the weekly crop update by region, Indiana soybeans planted was 18% complete in the North, 16% in Central, and 7% in the South. He told HAT that the wet conditions and the below average temperatures are impacting planting and early crop development, “These conditions have really provided an environment for seedling blight.”
Last week, statewide average temperatures were below normal at 58.0 degrees. Patchy frost was reported throughout the State. Statewide precipitation was 1.51 inches, above normal by 0.95 inches. There were 1.1 days available for fieldwork for the week ending May 15, down 0.6 days from the previous week.
Shepherd, however, is still recommending that growers stick with their original dates, “I know it is getting late, but I think we should still stay with our original plans and maturity dates.” He feels growers do not need to consider a change until closer to the end of the month.
The USDA says 28% of the Indiana corn has emerged, behind the 31% average and only 3% of the soybeans have emerged well the 11% average page. Meanwhile, planting and emergence in Illinois and Iowa are running well ahead of Indiana and ahead of average.
Listen to the complete report with Lance Shepherd on the crops page of the HAT web site and the agronomy section of our mobile app.