Farmers made significant progress with corn and soybean plantings before heavy rainfall halted fieldwork, according to Greg Matli, Indiana State Statistician for the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Strong storm systems moved across the state bringing locally heavy rainfall, wind, and hail which saturated fields. The statewide average temperature was 60.3 degrees, 4.9 degrees above normal. Statewide precipitation was 2.32 inches, above average by 1.46 inches. There were 3.8 days available for fieldwork for the week ending April 30, down 0.3 days from the previous week.
Statewide 45% of Indiana corn ha been planted with 10% emerged. Regionally, corn was 31% planted in the North, 54% in Central, and 54% in the South. Corn emerged was 3% complete in the North, 8% in Central, and 30% in the South. Soybeans were 9% planted in the North, 19% in Central, and 20% in the South.
Winter wheat was 50% jointed in the North, 70% in Central, and 89% in the South. Winter wheat headed was 6% complete in the North, 15% in Central, and 69% in the South.
Soybean planting in Indiana was rated at 16$ complete. Spring plantings for both corn and soybeans are ahead of schedule, despite the rains. Some farmers are concerned that the increased rainfall coupled with cooler temperatures will slow germination and emergence for the recently planted crops. Many low-lying areas have ponded and may need to be replanted. The state’s winter wheat crop appears to have withstood the weekend storms very well, with 71% of the crop in good to excellent condition. There were some reports of lodging in the wheat fields, but it does not appear to be widespread. The wet and cool weather over the weekend has also slowed pasture and hay growth for much of the state. Mint plantings were wrapping up. Livestock were reported to be in good condition, with calving progressing nicely.