Crop conditions remained stable despite a relatively dry week, according to Nathanial Warenski, state statistician, USDA NASS, Indiana Field Office. Soil moisture levels decreased from the previous week, with 66 percent of topsoil moisture reported as adequate or surplus.
The average temperature for the week was 71.4 degrees Fahrenheit, 1.3 below degrees below normal for the State. The amount of rainfall varied from none to 1.43 inches over the week. The statewide average precipitation was 0.51 inches, 0.31 inches below normal. There were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday.
Scattered rains throughout the State aided in maintaining crop conditions for some.
Corn dent progress and soybean setting pods development both continued behind their respective five-year averages. Soybean condition improved slightly from the previous week with 55 percent of soybeans rated in good to excellent condition. Some farmers reported that, due to excessive heat and lack of moisture during pollination, some of their corn was experiencing tip-back. Growers were also reporting some tar-spot, though it was not wide-spread. Despite such reports, corn condition remained unchanged from the previous week with 54 percent of corn rated in good to excellent condition.
Dry conditions aided in hay harvesting with second and third cuttings of hay being taken where regrowth was adequate. Pasture conditions improved slightly from the previous week with 46 percent of pasture rated in good to excellent condition. Activities for the week included fungicide treatments and herbicide and pesticide spraying.
Categories: Indiana, Crops, Corn, Harvesting, Weather