Indiana Crops Behind on Maturity
Published: Friday, September 16, 2022
The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending Sept. 11.
Moderate rainfall bookended an otherwise dry week, and the additional moisture benefitted late-planted crops. Soil moisture levels increased from the previous week, with 67 percent of topsoil moisture reported as adequate or surplus.
The average temperature for the week was 70.3 degrees F, 1.2 degrees above normal.
The amount of rainfall varied from none to 1.86 inches over the week. The statewide average precipitation was .62 inches, .03 inches below normal.
There were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork.
Several rain events brought much needed moisture to much of the state last week, mostly benefitting late-planted corn and soybean fields.
Corn and soybean maturations progressed behind their respective five-year averages, and crop conditions remained stable.
Silage and seed corn harvests were in full swing last week.
Alfalfa harvest progressed during the dry midweek window and remained in line with the five-year average.
The additional rainfall helped sustain pasture conditions, and livestock were reported in good condition.
Excessive rainfall compounding over the last two weeks caused flooding in the southeastern part of the state, with some crop damage being reported. Otherwise, farmers were busy preparing for harvest.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2021 and 5-year average) showed: corn dough, 97, 94, 99, 96; corn dented, 73, 55, 86, 76; corn mature, 15, 9, 31, 29; corn harvested for silage, 46, 29, 55, N/A; soybeans dropping leaves, 21, 10, 36, 30; alfalfa hay, third cutting, 91, 85, 96, 91; alfalfa hay, fourth cutting, 38, 26, 56, 38; other hay, third cutting, 53, 44, 77, 74.
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