Indiana Harvest Ahead of Schedule
Published: Friday, October 18, 2024
The following is from the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending Oct. 13.
Dry field conditions throughout the state provided ample opportunity for harvest activities. Topsoil moisture levels decreased from the previous week, with 39% rated adequate or surplus.
The average temperature for the week was 59.9 degrees F, 4.7 degrees above normal.
The statewide average precipitation was .04 inches, .57 inches below normal.
There were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork.
Harvest activities during the previous week progressed swiftly but were producing dust clouds due to the dry conditions. The lack of rainfall spurred small field and combine fires, with some counties in the state under burn bans.
Corn and soybean harvest progress continued significantly ahead of their five-year average paces, at 44% and 57%, respectively.
Winter wheat planting was approximately on schedule, but the lack of rainfall was reported to negatively affect germination.
Cooler weather aided pasture regrowth, but producers still relied on supplemental hay feedings.
Other activities included planting cover crops and hauling grain to market.
The crop moisture content (last week, previous week, 2023 and five-year average) showed: field corn harvested for grain, 18, 19, 21, 20; soybeans harvested, 11, 12, 13, 13.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2023 and five-year average) showed: corn mature, 96, 91, 89, 87; corn harvested for grain, 44, 29, 27, 33; corn harvested for silage, 95, 91, 94, 98; soybeans dropping leaves, 96, 92, 94, 93; soybeans harvested, 57, 36, 47, 45; winter wheat planted, 40, 22, 36, 41; winter wheat emerged, 12, 6, 8, 11; alfalfa hay, fourth cutting, 80, 71, 77, 80; other hay, third cutting, 95, 93, 100, 94; other hay, fourth cutting, 45, 37, 58, 52.
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