The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending Aug. 13.
Soil moisture has decreased as a result of the lack of rain over the past couple of weeks.
Spotty showers have been inadequate for proper growth of crops leading farmers to continue irrigating fields. Cooler temperatures helped growing crops use less wa-ter.
The statewide average temperature was 69.1 degrees, 3.7 degrees below nor-mal.
Statewide precipitation was .24 inches, below average by .65 inches.
There were 6.3 days available for fieldwork, up .9 days from the previous week.
Regionally, corn was 58 percent in dough in the north, 69 percent in central, and 74 percent in the south. Corn was 15 percent dented in the north, 21 percent in central, and 26 percent in the south.
Corn rated in good to excellent condition was 60 percent in the north, 48 percent in central, and 55 percent in the south.
Soybeans were 93 percent blooming in the north, 94 percent in central, and 90 percent in the south.
Soybeans were 76 percent setting pods in the north, 81 percent in central, and 76 percent in the south.
Soybeans rated in good to excellent condition were 62 percent in the north, 52 percent in central, and 56 percent in the south.
Some areas are starting to show signs of drought stress. Pollination is nearly complete with issues being reported in some areas. Mint and potatoes harvest is in full swing.
There have been reports of army worms in alfalfa fields in the southwestern portion of the state.
Pastures are reported in good shape, but more rain is desired. Livestock are reported in good condition.
Other activities included spraying soybean and corn fields for diseases, preparing bins for fall storage, hauling grain, mowing roadsides, scouting for pests, and attending the Indiana State Fair.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 2 per-cent; short, 24 percent; adequate, 70 percent; surplus, 4 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 1 percent; short, 20 percent; adequate, 75 percent; surplus, 4 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2016 and 5-year average) showed: corn dough, 65, 45, 69, 72; corn dented, 20, 3, 21, 20; soybeans blooming, 93, 90, 93, 94; soybeans setting pods, 78, 65, 76, 78; alfalfa hay, third cutting, 61, 43, 53, 47; other hay, second cutting, 93, 88, 85, NA; other hay, third cutting, 40, 31, 28, NA.