Fields Are Too Wet for Fieldwork
Published: Friday, April 15, 2022
The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending April 10.
Rain and cold weather continued last week, limiting field activity throughout the state. Soil moisture levels increased from the previous week, with 99 percent of topsoil moisture reported as adequate or surplus.
The average temperature for the week was 45.1 degrees F, 1.2 degrees below normal.
The amount of rainfall varied from .08 inches to 1.43 inches over the week. The statewide average precipitation was .76 inches, .15 inches below normal.
There were 1.5 days suitable for fieldwork.
Cool temperatures and continued rain events kept soil moisture levels high, hindering fieldwork.
Winter wheat progressed well over the last week, with 14 percent of the crop jointing and a slight improvement in condition rating.
Livestock were reported in generally good condition, though cases of pneumonia were reported amid the fluctuating temperatures.
Activities for the week included fertilizer applications where possible, hauling grain, preparing equipment and fencerow maintenance.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 0 percent; short, 1 percent; adequate, 52 percent; surplus, 47 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 1 percent; short, 3 percent; adequate, 58 percent; surplus, 38 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2021 and 5-year average) showed: corn planted, 0, 0, 2, 1; winter wheat jointing, 15, 5, 23, NA.
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