Cold and wet weather continued to delay fieldwork, according to Greg Matli, Indiana State Statistician for the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. It snowed and temperatures dropped below freezing. Heavy rains and strong winds saturated already damp cool soil. Average temperatures were 50.7 degrees, 4.0 degrees above normal for the state. The amounts of rainfall varied from 0.26 inches to 2.37 inches over the week. There were 1.7 days available for fieldwork for the week ending April 9.
Pastures, hay and wheat fields are greening up. Some topdressing of wheat occurred last week. Winter wheat was reported, on average, in good to excellent condition with reports of some yellowing in flooded, low lying fields. Some rivers have been reported as above flood stage. Livestock were reported on average to be in good condition. Field conditions have been unsuitable for work forcing farmers to focus on indoor activities. Activities for the week included continued work on equipment, moving grain from bins and visiting FSA offices.