Signs of stress were evident in corn and soybeans due to the recent hot, dry weather, according to the Indiana Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The corn crop is being forced to mature earlier than expected in many areas because of the heat and lack of moisture. Some entire soybean fields are starting to come to maturity and are beginning to turn color while only portions of other fields are turning because of disease issues. Spider mites are beginning to show up in some soybean fields but have remained below critical levels. Harvest of corn silage and processing tomatoes gained momentum during the week.
FIELD CROPS REPORT
There were 6.5 days suitable for field work during the week. Ninety-one percent of the corn acreage is in the dough stage compared with 99 percent last year and 91 percent for the 5-year average. Forty-seven percent of the corn acreage is in the dent stage compared with 83 percent last year and 58 percent for the 5-year average. By area, 48 percent of the corn acreage is in the dent stage in the north, 46 percent in the central region, and 49 percent in the south. Corn condition dropped 6 percent from a week ago and is rated 66 percent good to excellent compared with 8 percent last year at this time. The national corn good to excellent rating fell 3 points to 56 percent.
Ninety-five percent of the soybean acreage is setting pods compared with 99 percent last year and 95 percent for the 5-year average. Soybean condition is rated 62 percent good to excellent compared with 20 percent last year. This week’s rating is a 5 percent decline from last week and the national rating fell 4 points to 54 percent good to excellent.
LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE REPORT
Livestock remained in mostly good condition with only minor stress being reported due to the heat. Pasture condition declined further during the week but is still rated 36 percent good to excellent compared with only 8 percent last year at this time. The third cutting of alfalfa is 91 percent complete compared with 89 percent last year and 84 percent for the 5-year average.
Source: NASS