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Planting Continues Ahead of Pace


Published: Friday, May 26, 2023

The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending May 21.

Planting progress surged forward amid cooler, slightly drier conditions. Soil moisture levels decreased from the previous week, with 83% of topsoil moisture reported as adequate or surplus.

The average temperature for the week was 61.4 degrees F, 2.2 degrees below normal.

The amount of rainfall varied from none to 2.64 inches over the week.

The statewide average precipitation was .75 inches, .17 inches below normal.

There were 5.3 days suitable for fieldwork.

Corn and soybean planting progress remained ahead of schedule after a relatively dry week throughout much of the state.

Similarly, crop emergence continued ahead of their respective five-year averages despite the cooler temperatures.

Winter wheat progress was slightly ahead of schedule and crop condition remained stable from the previous week.

First cuttings of hay were underway last week, and pasture conditions declined slightly from the previous week with 70% rated in good to excellent condition.

Other activities for the week included herbicide applications, manure spreading and roadside mowing.

Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 4%; short, 13%; adequate, 74%; surplus, 9%.

Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 4%; short, 15%; adequate, 74%; surplus, 7%.

The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2022 and five-year average) showed: corn planted, 77, 56, 61, 64; corn emerged, 47, 22, 29, 38; soybeans planted, 72, 52, 47, 51; soybeans emerged, 40, 18, 18, 35; winter wheat jointing, 93, 89, 87, 88; winter wheat headed, 53, 32, 37, 45; alfalfa hay, first cutting, 10, NA, NA, NA; other hay, first cutting, 8, NA, NA, NA.

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