Rainfall Was Welcomed in Indiana
Published: Friday, October 18, 2019
The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending Oct. 13.
Moderate rainfall briefly kept combines out of the fields and replenished soil moisture in some areas.
Early and late week rainfall was welcomed in the southern part of the state, which had been experiencing moderate drought conditions in recent weeks.
Last week also saw the first reports of frost throughout the state.
The average temperature for the week was 56.3 degrees Fahrenheit, 1.1 degrees above normal.
The amount of rainfall varied from none to 1.85 inches over the week. The statewide average precipitation was .76 inches.
There were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork.
Corn and soybean harvest progressed steadily this week, though progress still lagged behind the five-year average with numerous late-planted fields not yet mature.
Winter wheat planting was in full swing last week after rain replenished the unusually dry soil, particularly in the South.
Livestock were reported to be in good condition with fall calving underway. Hay was being fed in some areas amid short pasture conditions.
Other activities for the week included machine maintenance, soil testing and attending extension events.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 17 percent; short, 32 percent; adequate, 47 percent; surplus, 4 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 18 percent; short, 34 percent; adequate, 45 percent; surplus, 3 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2018 and 5-year average) showed: corn, dented 95, 91, 100, 100; corn, mature 72, 56, 99, 94; corn, harvested for grain 24, 15, 49, 41; soybeans, dropping leaves 84, 66, 97, 95; soybeans, harvested 30, 14, 49, 47; winter wheat, planted 37, 17, 47, 42; winter wheat, emerged 9, 3, 22, 18; alfalfa hay, fourth cutting 66, 58, 83, 82; other hay, third cutting 91, 88, 99, 97; other hay, fourth cutting 44, 38, 64, NA.
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