Rain Boosts Moisture in Topsoil
Published: Friday, October 6, 2023
The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending Oct. 1.
Abnormally warm weather last week assisted in corn dry down. Soil moisture levels increased from the previous week, with 38% of topsoil moisture reported as adequate or surplus.
The average temperature for the week was 67.5 degrees F, 6.1 degrees above normal.
The amount of rainfall varied from none to 3.87 inches over the week. The statewide average precipitation was .80 inches, .06 inches above normal.
There were 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork.
Corn harvested for grain progress was behind the five-year average. The condition of corn remaining in fields was rated 65% good to excellent.
Soybean harvest was slightly behind the five-year average with 64% of the remaining crop rated in good to excellent condition.
Many growers hoped for more rain to aid in winter wheat germination. Winter wheat planting progress was also behind the five-year average pace.
Recent dry conditions throughout the state slowed pasture and hay regrowth. Many growers utilized supplemental hay while feeding livestock.
Livestock were reportedly doing well. Pasture conditions declined slightly from the previous week, with 29% of pastures rated in good to excellent condition.
Other activities for the week included testing harvest equipment, equipment maintenance, roadside mowing and popcorn harvesting.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 24%; short, 38%; adequate, 37%; surplus, 1%.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 26%; short, 39%; adequate, 34%; surplus, 1%.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2022 and five-year average) showed: corn dented, 97, 93, 95, 96; corn mature, 69, 51, 64, 72; corn harvested for grain, 13, 7, 15, 19; corn harvested for silage, 86, 76, 88, 93; soybeans dropping leaves, 80, 64, 79, 79; soybeans harvested, 17, 7, 15, 20; winter wheat planted, 11, 6, 10, 16; winter wheat emerged, 3, 1, 3, 2; alfalfa hay, fourth cutting, 69, 62, 72, 71; other hay, third cutting, 95, 87, 81, 88; other hay, fourth cutting, 41, 33, 28, NA.
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