Harvest Activities Are in Full Swing
Published: Friday, October 11, 2024
The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending Oct. 6.
Dry weather allowed for good harvest conditions throughout much of the state. Topsoil moisture levels decreased from the previous week, with 54% rated adequate or surplus.
The average temperature for the week was 65.3 degrees F, 6.5 degrees above normal.
The statewide average precipitation was .09 inches, .68 inches below normal.
There were 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork.
A lack of rainfall following Hurricane Helene dried out most fields, allowing for corn and soybean harvest to continue ahead of schedule. However, a few combine fires and excessive dust associated with harvest were reported in the drier portions of the state.
Corn for silage harvest progress neared completion but remained behind the five-year average.
Fourth cuttings of hay also remained behind their five-year average paces.
Pasture conditions continued to marginally improve, with 31% rated in good to excellent condition.
Less insect activity was reported on livestock in the cooler temperatures, and producers utilized supplemental feed when required.
Other activities included baling hay and watermelon harvest.
The crop moisture content (last week, previous week, 2023 and five-year average) showed: field corn harvested for grain, 19, 19, 21, 20; soybeans harvested, 12, 12, 13, 13.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2023 and five-year average) showed: corn mature, 91, 81, 78, 77; corn harvested for grain, 29, 20, 19, 22; corn harvested for silage, 91, 87, 90, 95; soybeans dropping leaves, 92, 86, 87, 85; soybeans harvested, 36, 23, 28, 28; winter wheat planted, 22, 13, 22, 23; winter wheat emerged, 6, 2, 4, 5; alfalfa hay, fourth cutting, 71, 66, 72, 75; other hay, third cutting, 93, 81, 98, 92; other hay, fourth cutting, 37, 32, 49, 40.
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