Cool Temperatures Slow Planting
Published: Friday, April 23, 2021
The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending April 18.
Cool, dry weather allowed for plenty of fieldwork over the last week, though the colder temperatures slowed planting progress in some parts of the state.
Soil moisture levels decreased from the previous week, with 82 percent of topsoil moisture reported as adequate or surplus.
The average temperature for the week was 49.8 degrees Fahrenheit, 2.2 degrees below normal.
The amount of rainfall varied from none to .86 inches. The statewide average precipitation was .22 inches.
There were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork.
While some farmers held off on planting amid the colder temperatures, corn and soybean planting still ended the week ahead of schedule thanks to the dry weather.
Winter wheat conditions improved slightly from the previous week, though a light frost over the weekend raised some concern.
The percent of winter wheat jointing remained ahead of the five-year average. Livestock were reported in good condition with spring calving winding down.
Other activities for the week included tillage, fertilizer and herbicide applications, and hauling grain.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 2 percent; short, 16 percent; adequate, 73 percent; surplus, 9 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 3 percent; short, 19 percent; adequate, 72 percent; surplus, 6 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2020 and 5-year average) showed: corn, planted 7, 2, 4, 3; soybeans, planted 4, NA, 2, 1; winter wheat, jointing 42, 26, 23, 34.
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