A hot, dry week left some fields in need of rain, according to Nathanial Warenski, state statistician, USDA NASS, Indiana Field Office. Soil moisture levels decreased from the previous week, with 76 percent of topsoil moisture reported as adequate or surplus.
The average temperature for the week was 77.9 degrees Fahrenheit, 5.9 degrees above normal for the State. The amount of rainfall varied from none to 1.86 inches over the week. The statewide average precipitation was 0.40 inches, 0.59 inches below normal. There were 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday.
An unusually hot week swept through much of the State drying out formerly soggy fields leaving some counties in need of rain.
Corn and soybean emergence was nearing completion. Despite widespread reports of curling corn leaves, 70 percent of corn and 70 percent of soybeans were rated in good to excellent condition.
Winter wheat was maturing slightly behind the five-year average. Hot, dry conditions made for excellent hay harvesting weather. High heat indexes mildly stressed livestock and caused pasture conditions to decline somewhat from the previous week.
Other activities for the week included as-needed replanting of crops, herbicide spraying, fertilizing, and livestock maintenance.
Categories: Indiana, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Harvesting, Livestock