Another rainy week aided progress and pushed crops toward maturity, according to Greg Matli, State Statistician, USDA, NASS, Indiana Field Office. Heavy rains, particularly in the northern and central parts of the State, benefitted many fields, though ponding and flooding were reported in some areas. The average temperature for the week was 71.2 degrees, 1.1 degrees below normal for the State. The amount of rainfall varied from 0.11 inches to 4.65 inches during the week. The statewide average for precipitation was 1.84 inches. There were 4.0 days available for fieldwork for the week ending August 26.
The above average precipitation last week aided pod fill in soybeans and pushed corn closer to maturity, while crop conditions remained relatively unchanged. Weed pressure remained high in some parts of the State. A midweek break in the rains provided opportunities for fieldwork, as commercial tomato, cucumber, and mint harvests continued. Livestock were reported to be in good condition, with hay feeding curtailed due to pasture growth. Other activities for the week included preparing bins, combines, and other equipment for harvest, hauling grain, mowing roadsides, spraying fields, and attending field days.