Indiana Planting Finally on Par with Average Pace

Farmers worked long hours to catch up on corn and soybean plantings while the weather was warm and dry, according to Greg Matli, Indiana State Statistician for the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Temperatures ranging from 2 to 10 degrees above normal and little precipitation began to dry out the soil, allowing farmers to work the fields. The statewide average temperature was at 71.0 degrees. Statewide precipitation was 0.37 inches, below normal by 0.71 inches. There were 5.7 days available for fieldwork for the week ending May 29, up 2.2 days from the previous week.

crop progress

Regionally, corn planted was 93% in the North, 90% in Central, and 59% in the South. Corn emerged was 67% in the North, 64% in Central, and 35% in the South. While planting progress remains behind last year, it is on par with the five year average. Some fields were replanted this week due to poor emergence from the cold spell that occurred earlier in the planting season.

 

Additionally, there are some concerns that more rain is needed to help the freshly planted corn crop emerge. The corn stands that have emerged are 69% in good to excellent condition. Side dressing of nitrogen and ammonia has begun

 

Wheat headed was 89% in the North, 93% in Central, and 94% in the South. Spraying for head scab continued this week. Some rust remains present in wheat fields, wheat condition remains stable this week.
Many farmers took advantage of the dry week to cut and bale alfalfa and other hay. Some of the hay crop in the South was of poor quality from weed pressure and limited access to fields during the rainy weather. Pastures remain lush and livestock is in excellent condition. Farmers with irrigation watered some of the planted crops to assist with seed germination. Other activities for the week included applying fertilizer, spreading herbicide, hauling grain, and roadside mowing.

 

 

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