The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending June 23.
A heat wave combined with scant rainfall caused concern about the condition of Indiana corn and soybean crops.
Topsoil moisture levels sharply decreased from the previous week, with 46% rated adequate or surplus.
The average temperature for the week was 80.9 degrees F, 8.6 degrees above normal.
The statewide average precipitation was .62 inches, .27 inches below normal.
There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork.
A second week of below-average precipitation levels resulted in signs of crop stress in some parts of the state, especially on fields without irrigation systems.
Corn and soybean conditions declined from the previous week.
The first cutting of hay was concluding, though regrowth stalled due to the dry conditions.
Pastures were reported to be struggling, with only 56% rated in good to excellent condition.
However, the dry weather provided ideal conditions for the ongoing winter wheat harvest, which continued significantly ahead of its five-year average pace.
Other activities included harvesting vegetables and certifying acreage at FSA offices.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2023 and five-year average) showed: corn emerged, 98, 92, 99, 95; corn silking, 1, NA, 2, 1; soybeans emerged, 95, 88, 98, 87; soybeans blooming, 3, NA, 3, 2; winter wheat mature, 81, 63, 76, 63; winter wheat harvested, 39, 13, 17, 16; alfalfa hay, first cutting, 95, 90, 99, 88; alfalfa hay, second cutting, 6, NA, 19, 15; other hay, first cutting, 88, 79, 99, 86; other hay, second cutting, 4, NA, 12, 11.