Indiana Has Too Much Rain

Thunderstorms in the latter part of the week limited field activity for a fourth straight week, according to Greg Matli, Indiana State Statistician for the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Producers in southern counties and in the Northwest part of the state welcomed the rain as it helped to improve crop condition in those areas. Elsewhere, excessive rain saturated soils, drowned crops, and left standing water in fields.

As water levels of rivers rose, so did concerns for the potential of additional flooding with the forecast of more rain. The statewide average temperature was 74.0 degrees, 0.7 degrees below normal. Statewide precipitation was 1.37 inches, above average by 0.60 inches. There were 4.3 days available for fieldwork for the week ending July 9, unchanged from the previous week.

Regionally, corn was 12% silked in the North, 12% in Central, and 47% in the South. Corn rated in good to excellent condition was 57% in the North, 40% in Central, and 48% in the South. Soybeans were 32% blooming in the North, 28% in Central, and 36% in the South. Soybeans rated in good to excellent condition were 57% in the North, 44% in Central, and 52% in the South. Winter wheat was 96% mature in the North, 99% in Central, and 97% in the South. Winter wheat was 56% harvested in the North, 84% in Central, and 96% in the South.

In addition to heavy rain, thunderstorms brought hail and heavy winds, causing leaning of corn in some fields. In some parts of the state, soybeans were yellow and stunted. There were also reports of slugs in soybean fields, and high numbers of Western Bean Cut Worms in traps. Weed control has been an issue in the wettest areas; some fields and pastures were in good condition while others have had problems with marestail and palmer amaranth. Winter wheat harvest continued as weather conditions permitted. Livestock were reported in good condition on average. Other activities included preparing for county fairs, baling straw and applying fungicides.

 

 

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