The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending May 22.
A break in the weather allowed farmers in central and northern Indiana to finally make significant progress with corn and soybean plantings.
While the top two-thirds of the state enjoyed drier weather, the south continued to have rain showers and cool temperatures, delaying planting progress.
Statewide average temperatures were below normal at 56.5 degrees. Statewide precipitation was .53 inches, below normal by .39 inches.
There were 3.5 days available for fieldwork for the week ending May 22, up 2.4 days from the previous week.
Regionally, corn planted was 72 percent in the north, 65 percent in central, and 35 percent in the south. Corn emerged was 42 percent in the north, 41 percent in central, and 27 percent in the south.
Some fields had to be replanted due to the oversaturated soils from previous rains. However, the mild weather has helped to green up the emerged corn. There were some reports of Pythium in corn stands.
By region, soybeans planted was 40 percent complete in the north, 36 percent in central, and 9 percent in the south.
Soybeans emerged was 12 percent complete in the north, 12 percent in central, and 4 percent in the south. Although planting progress remains behind schedule, farmers were able to move forward and narrow the gap.
Wheat headed was 59 percent in the north, 74 percent in central, and 87 percent in the south. There was some head scab and rust present in the wheat crop.
Overall, wheat is 74 percent in good to excellent condition and continues to progress ahead of last year and the five-year average.
Conditions were ideal for cutting hay in central and northern Indiana this week. In the south, many acres of hay are ready to be cut once the fields dry out.
Wheat and triticale were cut for haylage this week. Weed pressure remains present in crop fields. Other activities this week included spreading herbicide, applying fertilizer, hauling grain, working on equipment and mowing roadsides.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 0 percent; short, 3 percent; adequate, 64 percent; surplus, 33 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 1 percent; short, 2 percent; adequate, 69 percent; surplus, 28 percent.
Average soil temperatures (4-inch depth) were 61 at Wanatah and 59 at West Lafayette.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2015 and 5-year average) showed: corn planted, 62, 45, 84, 77; corn emerged, 39, 28, 56, 52; soybeans planted, 31, 15, 52, 50; soybeans emerged, 10, 3, 21, 25; winter wheat jointing, 96, 93, 92, 94; winter wheat headed, 74, 54, 53, 58; alfalfa hay, first cutting, 20, 1, 26, NA.