Scattered storms swept across the State bringing additional relief to drought-stressed crops, but localized heavy downpours led to ponding in several fields, according to Greg Matli, Indiana State Statistician for the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rain events throughout the week were highly variable, leaving some areas saturated while others remained mostly dry. Cooler than average temperatures helped to alleviate heat stress on crops. The statewide average temperature was 70.1 degrees, 3.2 degrees below normal. Statewide precipitation was 1.29 inches, above average by 0.20 inches. There were 4.3 days available for fieldwork for the week ending July 2, up 0.2 days from the previous week.
Statewide Indiana corn was rated at 47% good to excellent.
Regionally, corn was 3% silked in the North, 4% in Central, and 29% in the South. Corn rated in good to excellent condition was 53% in the North, 42% in Central, and 46% in the South.
Statewide soybeans were rated as 51% good to excellent. Soybeans were 11% blooming in the North, 14% in Central, and 18% in the South. Soybeans rated in good to excellent condition were 59% in the North, 47% in Central, and 51% in the South. Winter wheat was 86% mature in the North, 97% in Central, and 97% in the South. Winter wheat was 17% harvested in the North, 59% in Central, and 93% in the South.
The recent rains have helped to even out growth in corn fields, although some of the crop was in standing water. Some soybeans have begun to yellow in fields with excess moisture, and some were concerned about recently planted double-cropped and re-planted first crop soybeans being submerged in ponded fields. Several diseases have begun to appear in fields, including Diplodia Leaf Streak, Northern Corn Leaf Blight, Holcus Leaf Spot, and Phytophthora. Herbicide applications went on fields whenever the weather permitted, although some growers were having trouble controlling palmer, marestail, and various thistles. Winter wheat harvest made significant progress, but was halted towards the end of the week due to heavy rainfall. Although many fields were too wet to bale hay, many farmers were able to bale straw.