Another dry week allowed for excellent fieldwork conditions throughout much of Indiana, according to Nathanial Warenski, the state statistician, with the U.S.D.A. National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Indiana Field Office.
Soil moisture levels decreased from the previous week, with 32% of topsoil moisture reported as adequate or surplus.
The average temperature for the week was 65.5 degrees, 3.3 degrees above normal for the state. The amount of rainfall varied from none to 0.51 inches over the week. The statewide average precipitation was 0.12 inches, 0.58 inches
below normal. There were 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sept. 24.
Many Indiana growers were hopeful for rain to reduce the risk of potential fire hazards during harvest, but conditions remained dry. More than half of Indiana corn for grain had reached maturity last week with 63 percent of the crop rated in good to excellent condition.
Soybean dropping leaves progress was slightly behind the 5-year average. Soybean condition was rated 63% good to excellent. Cuttings of alfalfa and other hay were taken when possible.
Pasture regrowth had been stalled for many due to a lack of rainfall throughout the state. Pasture conditions declined from the previous week with 31% of pastures rated in good to excellent condition. Other activities for the week included cover
crop planting, fruit and vegetable harvesting, and irrigation system maintenance.