Rainfall Hinders Harvest Progress
Published: Friday, October 27, 2023
The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending Oct. 22.
Damp conditions through-out much of the state slowed harvest progress for corn and soybeans. Soil moisture levels increased from the previous week, with 61% of topsoil moisture reported as adequate or surplus.
The average temperature for the week was 52.9 degrees F, .9 degrees above normal.
The amount of rainfall varied from .03 to 1.09 inches over the week.
The statewide average precipitation was .57 inches, .20 inches below normal.
There were 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork.
Corn for grain harvest progress continued considerably behind the five-year average with many reporting that corn was not drying as quickly as expected. The condition of corn remaining in fields was rated 67% good to excellent.
Soybean harvest progress was also behind the five-year average. Winter wheat emergence progress continued behind the five-year average.
Some livestock were reportedly receiving supplemental hay due to poor pasture conditions. Pasture conditions were unchanged from the previous week with 30% of pastures rated in good to excellent condition.
Other activities for the week included fertilizer applications and grain hauling.
The crop moisture content (last week, previous week, 2022 and five-year average) showed: field corn harvested for grain, 21, 21, 18, 18; soybeans harvested, 13, 12, 11, 12.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2022 and five-year average) showed: corn mature, 96, 92, 95, 96; corn harvested for grain, 42, 30, 52, 54; soybeans harvested, 65, 52, 72, 67; winter wheat planted, 57, 40, 62, 67; winter wheat emerged, 23, 10, 22, 35; alfalfa hay, fourth cutting, 83, 79, 89, NA; other hay, fourth cutting, 67, 61, 51, NA.
Return to Top of Page