Rains Reduced Fire Risk in Fields
Published: Friday, October 13, 2023
The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending Oct. 8.
Timely rains reduced the risk of harvest fires for many Indiana growers.
Soil moisture levels increased from the previous week, with 48% of topsoil moisture reported as adequate or surplus.
The average temperature for the week was 62.7 degrees F, 5.5 degrees above normal.
The amount of rainfall varied from .32 to 2.19 inches over the week.
The statewide average precipitation was .80 inches, which was normal.
There were 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork.
Corn harvested for grain was in full swing last week with progress running behind the five-year average pace. The condition of corn remaining in fields was rated 66% good to excellent.
Corn harvested for silage was wrapping up.
Soybean harvest was also underway falling just slightly behind the five-year average pace.
Soybeans remaining in fields were rated 66% good to excellent condition.
Winter wheat planting progress was also behind the five-year average.
Final cuttings of alfalfa and other hay were taken where possible. Pasture conditions remained unchanged from the previous week with 29% of pastures rated in good to excellent condition.
Other activities for the week included cover crop planting, pumpkin and popcorn harvesting, fire hazard management, equipment maintenance, fertilizer applications and grain hauling.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 16%; short, 36%; adequate, 45%; surplus, 3%.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 23%; short, 39%; adequate, 37%; surplus, 1%.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2022 and five-year average) showed: corn mature, 82, 69, 82, 84; corn harvested for grain, 21, 13, 25, 29; corn harvested for silage, 92, 86, 95, 97; soybeans dropping leaves, 90, 80, 90, 88; soybeans harvested, 33, 17, 33, 34; winter wheat planted, 26, 11, 25, 30; winter wheat emerged, 4, 3, 5, 7; alfalfa hay, fourth cutting, 73, 69, 80, 78; other hay, fourth cutting, 52, 41, 36, 44.
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