Indiana Replanting Making Slow Progress

Periods of heavy rainfall throughout the week kept many farmers from replanting their fields, according to Greg Matli, Indiana State Statistician for the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Some rain storms were accompanied by strong winds and, in some cases, hail across the State. The weather conditions led to ponding in several fields, leaving emerged crops underwater. The statewide average temperature was 63.4 degrees, 1.1 degrees below normal. Statewide precipitation was 1.41 inches, above average by 0.27 inches. There were 2.0 days available for fieldwork for the week ending May 28, down 2.0 days from the previous week.

According to figures released on Tuesday, 81% of Indiana corn has been planted with 60% emerged and 54% of Hoosier soybeans planted, both behind average. Regionally, corn was 81% planted in the North, 83% in Central, and 78% in the South. Corn was 58% emerged in the North, 60% in Central, and 66% in the South. Soybeans were 54% planted in the North, 57% in Central, and 51% in the South. Soybeans were 32% emerged in the North, 33% in Central, and 30% in the South. Winter wheat was 82% headed in the North, 93% in Central, and 97% in the South. Winter wheat was 0% mature in the North, 5% in Central, and 9% in the South.
Frequent rains left many fields with standing water, making it difficult for farmers to do any fieldwork. Both corn and soybeans were reported to have emergence issues in some areas due to excessive rains and crusty topsoils. Farmers continued to replant where necessary. Cutworm presence remains in corn fields. Periods of strong winds and rain caused lodging in some winter wheat fields, whereas others experienced sinkholes.

The USDA released its first estimate of crop conditions. As expected, Indiana conditions are not good. According to the weekly crop report, 43% of Indiana corn is rated as good to excellent with 52% fair to poor and 5% very poor.

 

Pastures and hay fields benefited from the rainfall, but farmers were unable to make much progress on cuttings. Livestock were reported to be in great shape.

 

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