Dry fall weather aided farmers in corn and soybean harvest, according to Greg Matli, Indiana State Statistician for the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The statewide average temperature was 64.4 degrees, 7.8 degrees above normal. Many fields remained too damp to harvest at the beginning of the week; however, the dry and breezy weather kept farmers out in the fields as conditions continued to improve. Statewide precipitation was near zero at 0.08 inches, below average by 0.77 inches. There were 6.0 days available for fieldwork for the week ending October 9, up 2.1 days from the previous week.
Some farmers are waiting to plant winter wheat until the damp soils dry out from the previous week’s rains. Few farmers got the last of their hay cut and baled this week. Livestock was reported to be in good condition, and some remain on pasture much later than normal. Other activities for the week included harvesting tomatoes, planting cover crops, drying corn, hauling grain, tilling fields, and mowing roadside
Corn matured was 87% complete in the North, 94% in Central and 94% in the South. Corn harvested for grain was 29% complete in the North, 35% in Central, and 63% in the South. Corn harvest has nearly caught up to last year and is now ahead of the five-year average. While the dry week was beneficial for harvest progress, it had little impact on the disease and mold presence that remains in the fields. Stalk strength continues to be a concern during harvest, but the overall condition of the crop remains stable. Corn rated in good to excellent condition was 73% in the North, 75% in Central, and 60% in the South.
Soybeans dropping leaves were 95% complete in the North, 92% in Central, and 83% in the South. Soybeans were 35% harvested in the North, 37% in Central, and 22% in the South. Soybean harvest is well underway at this point, with the moderate fall weather helping to dry down the fields. With the exception of the tornado-swept areas, most of the soybeans are in good condition and are being harvested quickly while the weather remains favorable. Soybeans rated in good to excellent condition was 80% in the North, 82% in Central, and 66% in the South