Favorable weather conditions allowed farmers to make good progress with harvest and tillage operations during the week, according to the Indiana Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn harvest is progressing rapidly but is still behind the record early pace of 2010 when approximately 21 percent of the crop had been harvested at this same time. Corn yields are reported to vary greatly between fields and even within individual fields. Soybean harvest has been slow to get started but many fields are now mature. Final cuttings of hay are reported to be the best this season in many areas.
FIELD CROPS REPORT
There were 5.9 days suitable for field work during the week. Ninety-six percent of the corn acreage is in the dent stage compared to 81 percent last year and 84 percent for the 5-year average. Sixty-five percent of the corn acreage is mature compared to 32 percent last year and 41 percent for the 5-year average. Seventeen percent of the corn acreage has been harvested compared to 3 percent last year and 7 percent for the 5-year average. By area, 10 percent of the corn acreage has been harvested in the north, 13 percent in the central region, and 38 percent in the south. Corn condition is rated 11 percent good to excellent compared with 34 percent last year at this time. Moisture content of harvested corn is averaging about 23 percent.
Sixty-four percent of the soybean acreage is shedding leaves compared to 34 percent last year and 47 percent for the 5-year average. Five percent of the soybean acreage has been harvested compared to 1 percent last year and 4 percent for the 5-year average. By area, 3 percent of the soybean acreage has been harvested in the north, 6 percent in the central region, and 5 percent in the south. Soybean condition is now rated 28 percent good to excellent compared with 41 percent last year at this time. Moisture content of harvested soybeans is averaging about 14 percent.
LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE REPORT
Livestock remain in mostly good condition. Pasture condition has rebounded considerably and is rated 15 percent good to excellent compared with 12 percent last year at this time. Third cutting of alfalfa hay is 96 percent complete compared with 96 percent for both last year and the 5-year average.
Read the full PDF report here.
Source: Indiana NASS