Planting Progress Moves Forward
Published: Friday, April 28, 2023
The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending April 23.
Cool weather last week did little to hinder planting progress. Soil moisture levels increased from the previous week, with 88% of topsoil moisture reported as adequate or surplus.
The average temperature for the week was 51.4 degrees F, 2.8 degrees below normal.
The amount of rainfall varied from .03 to 1.36 inches over the week.
The statewide average precipitation was .65 inches, .29 inches below normal.
There were 4.4 days suitable for fieldwork.
Corn and soybean planting pressed on despite many growers reportedly waiting for warmer weather to continue planting. Corn and soybean planting progress continued ahead of their respective five-year averages.
Winter wheat jointing also continued ahead of its five-year average, with 76% of the crop rated in good to excellent condition.
Livestock were reported to be doing well with many returning to grazing pastures.
Pastures emerging from dormancy were reportedly in good condition.
Other activities for the week included vegetable planting, fruit tree pruning, planting preparations, herbicide and fertilizer applications, and spring calving.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2022 and 5-year average) showed: corn planted, 9, 3 1, 6; soybeans planted, 8, 2, 0, 3; winter wheat jointing, 54, 38, 33, 40; winter wheat headed, 0, 0, 0, 1.
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