No. 338 November 1,  1953
INDIANA CROPS AND LIVESTOCK
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
COOPERATING WITH
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA
INDIANA
The Indiana corn crop is again estimated at 244,058,000 bushels, the same as a month
ko. The yield of 51.5 bushels is above last year and above the 1942-1951 average. With
-lellent fall weather, husking was nearly completed by November 1. Yields are uneven
-roughout the state with mostly above average yields in the central and eastern dis-
-ets. In the northern districts yields were variable depending on the date of planting,
soil type and fertility levels. The southwestern part of the state was generally well
ielow average although yield reports were quite variable.
The estimate of soybean production declined from a month ago. With the completion
harvest, yields were not as high as expected earlier due to small beans and unfilled
rods. Indicated production at 35,322,000 bushels is 92 percent of last year but 117 percent
the 1942-51 average.
Pasture condition at 43 is 35 points below average and 23 points below last year.
October continued dry and pasture growth was very limited. Early harvest of corn
rr.ade possible more grazing of stalk fields than usual.
The potato estimate of 2,860,000 bushels is unchanged with a yield of 220 bushels per
acre. The sweetpotato estimate declined as yields at harvest did not come up to
expectation.
Apple production in commercial counties is reported less than earlier expectations
is continued dry weather prevented sizing of fruit. Production is now estimated at
1.178,000 bushels which is 110 pei-cerj^of last year and 86 percent of average. Pear
production also declined and the ej^nCke of 70,000 bushels is below last year and average.
Grape production at 700 tons is^^Fpercent ofMa'st year and 42 percent of average.
October milk production of 285 million jfflrmds is slightly above last year but is below
average. Milk production per com 1^ wightly below a year ago but the decrease in
production was more than offseV;6jQan increase in milk cow numbers.
Egg production during October was 2l^Vnillion eggs or 13 million above last year.
high rate of lay coupled with an increased^number of layers accounted for the increase
over a year ago. 
UNITED STATES
Conditions for maturity and harvest of late-growing crops were favorable to ideal
Ming October and the total expected volume of crop production increased slightly.
It remains third-largest, nearly up to the 1952 volume but well below that for 1948.
The conditions which favored harvest, however, were unfavorable for seeding and development of fall-sown grains, until good rains fell in the latter third of October.
Corn production is now estimated at 3,180 million bushels, only 16 million less than
on October 1. Virtually all corn matured before killing frosts, resulting in practically
to soft or immature ears. Corn cured rapidly and is generally of good to excellent
quality; much was dry enough to be shelled for market as it was picked. In the Corn
Belt, machine picking in some fields was hampered by the dryness and brittleness of
> stalks and ear shanks, resulting in much dropping of ears. Harvesting progress,
"ovvever, is reported much more rapid than usual. Dropped ears gleaned or salvaged
rv livestock are covered in the production estimates.
Harvest of soybeans reached its peak in the main producing area in early October
and was generally about completed by November 1. The outturn appears to be nearly
1 percent smaller than forecast a month ago. Earlier prospects were not quite mainlined for dry beans, potatoes, and sweetpotatoes. But increases from earlier forecasts
w now shown for rice, sorghum grain, peanuts, tobacco and sugar beets. Picking of
cotton progressed rapidly and with a minimum of loss. Lint yields are considerably
than expected earlier, and the estimated outturn increased to 16.1 million bales.
ith most changes relatively small, and with the improvements in crops outweighing
iie losses in prospects, the expected all-crop volume is increased. The current total
percent of the 1923-32 base, nearly a point higher than on October 1, and exceeded
on'y by the 132 percent in 1952 and the record 135.5 percent in 1948.
cott Vely *"gk yie*ds Per acre were produced in 1953 for most crops, although only
on, peanuts and sugar beets are likely to set new high marks. For barley, rice and
alt       S' yields this year are second-highest of record.   Yields are higher than both
81 year and average for rye, all hay, dry peas and sweetpotatoes.   Based on current