Heat and humidity settled in and storms delivered heavy amounts of rain in many areas, according to Greg Matli, Indiana State Statistician for the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Temperatures helped crop growth and wheat ripening. However, some storms were severe enough to leave the standing water and some crop damage. The statewide average temperature was 77.3 degrees, 5.7 degrees above normal. Statewide precipitation was 1.77 inches, above average by 0.77 inches. There were 4.3 days available for fieldwork for the week ending June 18, down 2.4 days from the previous week.
Statewide 45% of Indiana corn was rated in good to excellent condition while 52% of soybeans were rated as good to excellent. Nationally corn condition remained unchanged while soybean condition rating increased slightly.
Corn was 92% emerged in the North, 93% in Central, and 92% in the South. Soybeans were 97% planted in the North, 96% in Central, and 94% in the South. Soybeans were 86% emerged in the North, 83% in Central, and 81% in the South. Winter wheat was 48% mature in the North, 65% in Central, and 90% in the South. Winter wheat harvest hasn’t started in the North but is at 6% in Central, and 60% in the South.
There were heavy amounts of rain in Benton, Tippecanoe and White Counties. Rain fell throughout the state but was heaviest through the central region, with lower amounts falling in southwestern and northeastern Indiana. Some wheat was blown down due to high winds. There was little change in crop and pasture conditions, but the recent window for side dressing and weed spraying appears to have helped corn. Livestock was reported to be in a little stress due to the heat.