Nationally corn and soybeans continue to look good. According to the Monday update, 75% of US corn was rated as good to excellent while 72% of soybeans were rated as good to excellent. These figures were little changed from the week previous. Despite some areas of stress, Indiana crops were rated overall as 73% good to excellent for corn and 74% good to excellent for soybeans. Storms last week provided much needed moisture for stressed Indiana fields, according to Greg Matli, Indiana State Statistician for the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Precipitation amounts varied widely and dry pockets persisted. Although last week’s storms were a relief for some counties, they were also a hazard. The storms were accompanied by strong winds that caused damage to crops in some areas. Statewide average temperature was 76.6 degrees, 4.0 degrees above normal. Statewide precipitation was 1.50 inches, 0.61 inches above normal.
Corn emerged was 99% in the North, 97% in Central, and 92% in the South. Corn silking was 1% in the North, 9% in Central, and 4% in the South. Rain provided relief for corn that was experiencing leaf rolling. However, in some areas, strong winds knocked down trees, power lines and grain bins. The corn crop is still reported as 72% in good to excellent condition.
Soybeans emerged was 98% complete in the North, 97% in Central, and 86% in the South. Farmers continue spraying soybeans. Marestail, dock and other weeds were very evident in soybean fields. Some fields experienced ponding due to localized heavy rains. Soybeans are 74% in good to excellent condition.
Hay growth has slowed down and first cutting of hay is almost complete. Livestock are in good condition and pastures are greening up due to timely rains. Other activities this week included preparing for wheat harvest, scouting fields, Farm Management Tour, crop diagnostic training, applying fertilizer, spraying herbicide, hauling grain, certifying crops with FSA, mowing roadsides and cleaning fencerows.