Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending October 18, 2015.
Dry weather and mild temperatures continued to aide farmers in harvest progress, according to Greg Matli, Indiana State Statistician for the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The low humidity and cool temperatures kept moisture content low for both corn and soybeans, allowing many farmers to wrap up soybean harvest by the end of the week.
Nearly one-third of the state is considered to be abnormally dry, with approximately 8% of the state in a moderate drought, according to the latest drought monitor. Most of the area south of I-74 is abnormally dry. The area of moderate drought includes all of Orange county, and portions of Lawrence, Washington, DuBois, Pike, Gibson, Knox, Daviess, and Martin counties Days suitable for fieldwork was nearly perfect at 6.8, up 0.4 days from last week.
The first frost of the season occurred over the weekend, but had a minor impact considering that much of the harvest has already been completed. Dry conditions continue to decrease the moisture in both corn and soybeans, and in some areas, the crops are becoming too dry. Corn and soybean harvest progress is well above last year and the five year average, with soybean harvest at near completion in some parts of the state.
Winter wheat plantings are also well above the five year average. There are some concerns of poor wheat emergence due to the lack of moisture in recent weeks.
Similarly, growth in pastures and cover crops have slowed and the fields have become dry. Livestock is in good condition. When farmers found the time this week, they took soil samples, spread fertilizer and lime, installed tile, and tilled fields after harvest.
Regionally, soybeans harvested was 80% complete in the North, 86% in Central, and 76% in the South. Corn harvested for grain was 62% complete in the North, 59% in Central, and 78% in the South. Winter wheat planted was 81% in the North, 73% in Central, and 66% in the South.
