Indiana Crops Emerging Quickly

Another mostly dry week allowed farmers to wrap up corn planting and make significant progress on soybean plantings, according to Greg Matli, Indiana State Statistician for the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Temperatures remained above average with spotty precipitation. Some farmers used irrigation systems to help with emergence and keep crops healthy. Much of the rain came over the weekend which brought some relief to dry areas, although more is needed. Statewide average temperature was 71.7 degrees, above normal by 4.5 degrees. Statewide precipitation was 1.00 inches, below normal by 0.06 inches. There were 5.3 days available for fieldwork for the week ending June 5, down 0.4 days from the previous week.

Wheat mature was 1% in the North, 5% in Central, and 8% in the South. Wheat continues to progress far ahead of last year, and is beginning to dry down.
Cutting and baling of alfalfa and other hay continued on strong this week given the mild weather conditions. Some pastures are beginning to brown and are in need of moisture. Livestock is in good condition with only minor stress reported. Strawberry harvest has begun. Other activities this week included applying fertilizer, spraying herbicide, running irrigation systems, hauling grain, certifying crops with FSA, and roadside mowing.

Corn emerged was 88% in the North, 86% in Central, and 55% in the South. Corn planting and replanting are nearly complete. The corn crop is emerging rapidly and remains 72% in good to excellent condition. Some fields experienced stand reductions from slug and insect damage. Farmers continued side dressing and spraying herbicides.
By region, soybeans planted was 92% complete in the North, 90% in Central, and 51% in the South. Soybeans emerged was 67% complete in the North, 66% in Central, and 21% in the South. Plantings have caught up with the five year average, and emergence is not far behind. Some are concerned that the drying soil will lead to reduced germination with the recently planted soybeans. The already emerged plants are 73% in good to excellent condition.

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