Cool, Dry Weather Prevails in Ind.
Published: Friday, September 22, 2023
The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending Sept. 17.
Cool, dry weather prevailed last week which moved corn and soybeans towards harvest.
Soil moisture levels decreased from the previous week, with 44% of topsoil moisture reported as adequate or surplus.
The average temperature for the week was 63.1 degrees F, 3.6 degrees below normal.
The amount of rainfall varied from none to 1.43 inches over the week.
The statewide average precipitation was .21 inches, .58 inches below normal.
There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork.
Another week of little precipitation had many parts of the state very dry going into harvest. Corn silage harvest was in full swing; some producers planted cover crops after silage harvest was completed.
Corn for grain and soybean harvest began on a few farms last week. Lack of appreciable rainfall caused pasture conditions to falter.
Only 36% of pastures were rated in good to excellent condition.
Other activities for the week included getting equipment ready for corn and soybean harvest, manure applications, harvesting apples and vegetables, and roadside mowing.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 17%; short, 39%; adequate, 43%; surplus, 1%.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 18%; short, 37%; adequate, 44%; surplus, 1%.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2022 and five-year average) showed: corn dented, 85, 70, 84, 84; corn mature, 31, 12, 27, 40; corn harvested for grain, 2, 0, 1, 4; corn harvested for silage, 55, 32, 63, NA; soybeans dropping leaves, 40, 19, 39, 45; soybeans harvested, 1, NA, 1, 3; winter wheat planted, 3, 1, 2, 3; alfalfa hay, third cutting, 97, 93, 94, 94; alfalfa hay, fourth cutting, 51, 38, 51, 50; other hay, third cutting, 83, 69, 65, 77; other hay, fourth cutting, 26, 17, 5, 14.
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