Crops Need Dry Weather, Sunshine
Published: Friday, July 23, 2021
The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending July 18.
Wet weather conditions hindered field activity and caused some damage to crops in low lying areas. Soil moisture levels increased from the previous week, with 96 percent of topsoil moisture reported as adequate or surplus.
The average temperature for the week was 74.8 degrees F, .3 degrees below normal.
The amount of rainfall varied from .01 to 4.81 inches over the week. The statewide average precipitation was 2.37 inches.
There were 2.5 days suitable for fieldwork.
Wheat harvest fell slightly behind due to regular rain showers during the week. Some wheat that remained in fields lodged where winds were strong, and farmers were concerned about sprout.
Quality of straw laying in fields awaiting the bailer degraded due to excess moisture.
Corn progressed well last week as both dough and silking progress remained ahead of their respective five-year averages.
Despite some reports of denitrification in wet fields, corn condition remained unchanged from the previous week.
Wet field conditions caused asphyxia and yellowing in some low-lying soybean fields and slowed double crop planting progress in most areas.
Second cuttings of alfalfa and other hay were taken when possible. Many fields have some instances of standing water.
Livestock enjoyed rapid pasture growth with 67 percent of pasture rated in good to excellent condition.
Activities for the week included roadside mowing, hay and straw hauling, aerial fungicide application and field scouting.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 1 percent; short, 3 percent; adequate, 66 percent; surplus, 33 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 2 percent; short, 5 percent; adequate, 67 percent; surplus, 26 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2020 and 5-year average) showed: corn silking, 59, 27, 57, 51; corn dough, 8, 1, 3, 2; soybeans blooming, 58, 38, 60, 53; soybeans setting pods, 19, 7, 20, 21; winter wheat harvested, 88, 77, 94, 93; alfalfa hay, second cutting, 68, 60, 77, 72; other hay, second cutting, 55, 44, 52, 54.
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