Dry Weather Continues in Indiana
Published: Friday, August 9, 2019
The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending Aug. 4.
Dry weather continued for most of the week causing concerns to grow. Warm temperatures and little rainfall reduced soil moisture levels further below the five-year average.
The average temperature for the week was 73.3 degrees Fahrenheit, which was normal for the state.
The amount of rainfall varied from .05 inches to 1.35 inches over the week. The statewide average precipitation was .52 inches.
There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork.
Corn and soybean development progressed last week, though the dry weather resulted in reports of drought stress on lighter soils while irrigation was running where available.
Wheat harvest was all but wrapped up last week and mint harvest progressed steadily. Farmers made significant progress with hay cuttings last week, but regrowth was slow due to the dry conditions.
Livestock were reported to be enjoying the relatively mild temperatures. Other activities for the week included herbicide and fungicide applications, mowing roadsides and attending extension meetings.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 12 percent; short, 38 percent; adequate, 48 percent; surplus, 2 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 7 percent; short, 33 percent; adequate, 57 percent; surplus, 3 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2018 and 5-year average) showed: corn, silking 60, 40, 96, 93; corn, dough 16, 8, 55, 40; soybeans, blooming 54, 37, 90, 88; soybeans, setting pods 19, 8, 75, 65; alfalfa hay, second cutting 81, 71, 99, 93; alfalfa hay, third cutting 3, NA, 35, 23; other hay, second cutting 66, 52, 90, 85; other hay, third cutting 1, NA, 24, 16.
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