Rain Brings Relief to Indiana Crops
Published: Friday, August 12, 2022
The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending Aug. 7.
Scattered showers throughout the state helped maintain crop and pasture conditions.
Soil moisture levels decreased slightly from the previous week, with 69 percent of topsoil moisture reported as adequate or surplus.
The average temperature for the week was 77.5 degrees F, 4.6 degrees above normal.
The amount of rainfall varied from none to 2.53 inches over the week. The statewide average precipitation was 1.10 inches, .13 inches above normal.
There were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork.
While much of the state received some amount of rain, irrigation systems were still utilized in many counties where precipitation was lacking.
Corn silking and soybean blooming progress had begun to wrap up with 52 percent of corn and 51 percent of soybeans rated in good to excellent condition.
Second cuttings of alfalfa and other hay began nearing completion with third cuttings being taken where regrowth was adequate.
Pasture conditions improved slightly from the previous week with 41 percent of pasture rated in good to excellent condition.
In places where rain was present, livestock enjoyed regenerative pasture growth.
Other activities for the week included preventative fungicide applications, herbicide applications, pest management, roadside mowing and fair activities.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 9 percent; short, 22 percent; adequate, 61 percent; surplus, 8 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 11 percent; short, 25 percent; adequate, 58 percent; surplus, 6 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2021 and 5-year average) showed: corn silking, 93, 85, 96, 91; corn dough, 44, 25, 49, 46; soybeans blooming, 87, 77, 90, 85; soybeans setting pods, 58, 41, 64, 60; alfalfa hay, second cutting, 95, 92, 95, 94; alfalfa hay, third cutting, 37, 25, 48, 37; other hay, second cutting, 78, 74, 87, 84; other hay, third cutting, 17, 11, 31, 24.
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