Rains gave relief to crops suffering from lack of moisture but also limited field activity, according to Greg Matli, Indiana State Statistician for the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The amount of rainfall varied throughout the state. Some areas received adequate rainfall, while other areas received an overabundance that caused flooding. Many growers noted troubles due to soil moisture surpluses. Difficult to control weeds and disease were major concerns. Tornadoes touched down in Central Indiana locations during severe storms, but there were few reports of significant crop damage.
Corn dough was 85% in the North, 85% in Central, and 82% in the South. Corn dented was 44% in the North, 44% in Central, and 45% in the South. Corn rated in good to excellent condition was 72% in the North, 77% in Central, and 66% in the South. Benefits from the late rains were expected to vary depending on maturity of the crop.
By region, soybeans blooming were 99% complete in the North, 96% in Central, and 96% in the South. Soybeans setting pods were 92% complete in the North, 89% in Central, and 84% in the South. Heavy rains knocked down some soybeans. There was also some reports of lodging in taller soybeans. Soybeans rated in good to excellent condition were 74% in the North, 78% in Central, and 64% in the South.
Some farmers started chopping silage, but had to stop as heavy rains passed through the state. Feedlots grew muddier, but livestock received a break from high temperatures and pastures began to rebound.