A week of hot, dry weather placed stress on both crops and livestock, according to the Indiana Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Soil moisture was rapidly being depleted with temperatures soaring above ninety degrees. Most irrigation systems were running during the week to try to keep up with the moisture loss. Farmers made good progress harvesting winter wheat with varying yields and test weights being reported. Aerial applications of fungicide were being made to both corn and soybean fields. Detasseling was prevalent on seed corn operations.
FIELD CROPS REPORT
There were 6.1 days suitable for field work during the week. Sixty-two percent of the corn acreage has silked compared with 88 percent last year and 60 percent for the 5-year average. Corn condition declined slightly and is rated 78 percent good to excellent compared with 7 percent last year at this time. The national rating dropped 3 percent from last week.
Fifty-six percent of the soybean acreage is blooming compared with 76 percent last year and 54 percent for the 5-year average. Twelve percent of the soybean acreage is setting pods compared with 29 percent last year and 14 percent for the 5-year average. Soybean condition is rated 74 percent good to excellent compared with 12 percent last year at this time. National soybean condition fell 1 percent.
Ninety-six percent of the winter wheat acreage has been harvested compared with 100 percent last year and 98 percent for the 5-year average.
LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE REPORT
Livestock were under stress due to the high heat and humidity. Pasture condition showed a slight decline and is rated 75 percent good to excellent compared with only 1 percent last year at this time. The second cutting of alfalfa is 74 percent complete compared with 99 percent last year and 78 percent for the 5-year average.
Source: NASS