Rain Improves Area Crop Conditions
Published: Friday, August 18, 2023
The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending Aug. 13.
Adequate soil moisture levels for many Indiana growers supported crop condition and development.
Soil moisture levels increased from the previous week, with 78% of topsoil moisture reported as adequate or surplus.
The average temperature for the week was 72.8 degrees F, .1 degree above normal.
The amount of rainfall varied from none to 4.32 inches over the week.
The statewide average precipitation was 1.54 inches, .65 inches above normal.
There were 5 days suitable for fieldwork.
Rainfall varied widely throughout the state, with many growers receiving timely and adequate rainfall.
Corn and soybean conditions improved from the previous week with 67% of corn and 68% of soybeans rated in good to excellent condition.
Humid conditions experienced by some have raised tentative concerns over the development of crop diseases.
Cuttings of alfalfa and other hay were taken where possible. Dry weather early in the growing season has resulted in third cutting harvest progress for both alfalfa and other hay to fall behind the five-year average.
Pasture conditions improved from the previous week with 51% of all pastures rated in good to excellent condition. Some noted that well-managed pastures with adequate rainfall seemed to be doing particularly well.
Other activities for the week included irrigation system maintenance, fungicide applications, repairs and disease monitoring.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 5%; short, 17%; adequate, 73%; surplus, 5%.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 9%; short, 22%; adequate, 66%; surplus, 3%.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2022 and five-year average) showed: corn silking, 94, 90, 96, 95; corn dough, 55, 39, 57, 60; corn dented, 2, 0, 7, 12; soybeans blooming, 91, 85, 91, 90; soybeans setting pods, 71, 57, 69, 69; alfalfa hay, second cutting, 95, 92, 98, 97; alfalfa hay, third cutting, 41, 30, 48, 49; other hay, second cutting, 84, 79, 81, 87; other hay, third cutting, 24, 15, 21, 29.
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