Indiana Soil Replenished by Rain
Published: Friday, September 9, 2022
The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week end-ing Sept. 4.
Much-needed rainfall replenished soil moisture last week. Soil moisture levels increased from the previous week, with 60 percent of topsoil moisture reported as adequate or surplus.
The average tempera-ture for the week was 72.9 degrees F, 1.8 degrees above normal.
The amount of rainfall varied from .06 to 6.02 inches over the week. The statewide average precipitation was 1.81 inches, 1 inch above normal.
There were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork.
Early- and late-week rainfall aided crop development, especially in late planted fields. Both corn and soybean progress remained slightly behind the five-year average, and crop conditions remained stable.
Silage and seed corn harvests were underway last week. Hay harvest progressed slowly where the weather allowed, and pasture conditions improved after the increased rainfall.
Livestock were re-ported to have experienced some heat stress from the high temperatures back in July.
Other activities for the week included tomato harvest and preparing equipment for harvest.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 9 percent; short, 31 percent; adequate, 57 percent; surplus, 3 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 11 percent; short, 32 percent; adequate, 55 percent; surplus, 2 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2021 and 5-year average) showed: corn dough, 94, 88, 96, 92; corn dented, 55, 37, 70, 62; corn mature, 9, 2, 14, 15; corn harvested for silage, 29, 9, 28, N/A; soybeans setting pods, 95, 90, 97, 94; soybeans dropping leaves, 10, 2, 17, 15; alfalfa hay, third cutting, 85, 76, 91, 84; alfalfa hay, fourth cutting, 26, 5, 40, 24; other hay, second cutting, 95, 92, N/A, N/A; other hay, third cutting, 44, 37, 64, 64.
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