Rain Pulls Half of Indiana Out of Extreme Drought

By CnAgri2012-08-21 19:47:20 Print

Rain showers helped to improve drought conditions with less than half the state still in extreme to exceptional drought conditions compared with nearly 70 percent on July 31, according to the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn harvest has begun in a few scattered fields around the state. Pastures and hay fields have greened up considerably in the last two weeks with hopes of one more cutting of hay before the end of the season. Later planted soybeans are benefitting from the recent rainfall with additional growth and pod fill. The rains have also slowed spider mite activity and hopefully will help limit the amount of aflatoxin in the corn crop. Lower than normal silage yields are being reported in drought damaged corn due to reduced stalk matter.

There were 5.3 days suitable for field work during the week. Ninety-one percent of the corn acreage is in dough compared with 64 percent last year and 69 percent for the 5-year average. Fifty-eight percent of the corn is in the dent stage compared to 17 percent last year and 25 percent for the 5-year average. Nine percent of the corn acreage is mature compared to 0 percent last year and 1 percent for the 5-year average. Corn condition is rated 9 percent good to excellent compared with 38 percent last year at this time.

Ninety-four percent of the soybean acreage is setting pods compared with 70 percent last year and 77 percent for the 5-year average. Four percent of the soybeans are shedding leaves compared to 0 percent last year and 1 percent for the 5-year average. Soybean condition continued to improve and is now rated 20 percent good to excellent compared with 45 percent last year at this time.

Livestock are reported to be in mostly good condition due mainly to the cooler temperatures. Pasture condition showed some improvement, and is now rated 6 percent good to excellent compared with 20 percent last year at this time.