Crops Benefit from Timely Rains
Published: Friday, July 12, 2024
The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending July 7.
Timely rains improved soil moisture levels and bolstered crop conditions.
Topsoil moisture levels increased from the previous week, with 70% rated adequate or surplus.
The average temperature for the week was 72 degrees F, 1.8 degrees below normal.
The statewide average precipitation was .98 inches, .04 inches above normal.
There were 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork.
Intermittent rains and below-average temperatures helped maintain soil moisture levels throughout much of the state.
Winter wheat harvest was in full swing and progress remained ahead of schedule.
Corn and soybean conditions were rated 67 and 66% good to excellent, respectively.
Corn silking and soybean blooming progress both continued ahead of schedule.
Other activities for the week included fertilizer and fungicide applications, equipment repairs and blueberry harvest.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2023 and five-year average) showed: corn silking, 20, 7, 13, 11; soybeans blooming, 30, 15, 19, 21; soybeans setting pods, 9, 1, 1, 2; winter wheat mature, 96, 92, 95, 93; winter wheat harvested, 84, 64, 55, 59; alfalfa hay, second cutting, 47, 21, 46, 45; other hay, first cutting, 96, 92, 100, 97; other hay, second cutting, 26, 15, 35, 32.
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