Rain, Cooler Weather Helps Crops
Published: Friday, September 11, 2020
The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending Sept. 6.
Temperatures cooled off in the latter half of the week, while isolated rain events replenished moisture levels in the southern part of the state.
The southern portion of the state received above average rainfall, while the north and central regions remained unusually dry. Statewide, soil moisture levels decreased from the previous week.
The average temperature for the week was 70.3 degrees Fahrenheit, .1 degrees below normal.
The amount of rainfall varied from none to 4.13 inches over the week. The statewide average precipitation was .46 inches.
There were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork.
Spotty rainfall last week benefitted some fields, but many corn and soybean fields across the state were still short on moisture.
The percent of corn mature was in line with the five-year average, as was the percent of soybeans dropping leaves, though concerns remained regarding kernel and pod fill after recent dry spells.
Corn silage harvest was well underway last week, and hay harvests continued slightly ahead of the five-year average.
Livestock were reportedly in good condition as fall calving approached, though pasture conditions declined slightly amid the dry weather.
Other activities for the week included harvesting specialty crops, preparing equipment for harvest, and mowing roadsides.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 16 percent; short, 36 percent; adequate, 46 percent; surplus, 2 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 14 percent; short, 38 percent; adequate, 46 percent; surplus, 2 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2019 and 5-year average) showed: corn dough, 97, 94, 79, 93; corn dented, 68, 52, 38, 67; corn mature, 20, 8, 6, 20; corn harvested for silage, 38, 17, NA, NA; soybeans dropping leaves, 19, 7, 2, 18; alfalfa hay, third cutting, 89, 82, 70, 83; alfalfa hay, fourth cutting, 26, 15, 12, 17; other hay, third cutting, 69, 58, 48, 63.
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