More Rain Needed for Soybeans
Published: Friday, August 20, 2021
The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending Aug. 15.
Sporadic rains did little to relieve dry fields. Soil moisture levels increased from the previous week, with 69 percent of topsoil moisture reported as adequate or surplus.
The average temperature for the week was 76.5 degrees F, 3.7 degrees above normal.
The amount of rainfall varied from .01 to 4.02 inches over the week. The statewide average precipitation was .85 inches.
There were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork.
Scattered thunderstorms and rain showers did little to relieve the drying soil conditions. More rain was needed to support pod development in soybeans, promote grain fill in corn, and combat premature cornstalk deterioration.
Sudden death and white mold were becoming more of a concern for soybeans growing in areas with a tendency to pond.
Despite disease and developmental concerns, corn and soybean conditions remained mostly stable from the previous week, with 72 percent of corn and 68 percent of soybeans rated in good to excellent condition.
Irrigation systems were utilized across much of the state to help combat drying soil moisture supplies.
Pastures deteriorated slightly with 52 percent rated in good to excellent condition, down 3 percentage points from last week.
Livestock that experienced pasture shortages were fed supplemental hay and remained in good condition.
Activities for the week included marketing hay, attending field days, spraying crops, harvesting market produce and baling hay where possible.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 8 percent; short, 23 percent; adequate, 62 percent; surplus, 7 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 6 percent; short, 24 percent; adequate, 65 percent; surplus, 5 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2020 and 5-year average) showed: corn dough, 76, 52, 69, 66; corn dented, 17, 3, 14, 21; soybeans blooming, 95, 91, 96, 92; soybeans setting pods, 79, 66, 79, 74; alfalfa hay, third cutting, 67, 51, 55, 53; other hay, second cutting, 93, 88, 88, 90; other hay, third cutting, 43, 33, 34, 33.
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