No. 350 November 1, 1954
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 
October made no change in the estimate of the Indiana corn crop from the 248,729,000
bushels of a month ago. Harvest confirmed the drought damage in the south, and the
higher than average yields in the north. The heavier than average precipitation in the
month retarded harvest compared with last year, but it is still not far from average.
The soybean estimate of 45,264,000 bushels is unchanged. The rains delayed harvest and
some beans were still in the field November 1st. These beans when harvested carry a
neh higher moisture content than the beans harvested in September.
The rains improved pasture condition and at 80 percent of normal it is slightly above
average.
The potato estimate of 3,185,000 bushels is 104 percent of last year and 86 percent of
iTerage. Flooded fields before harvest caused loss of about 500 acres.
The reduction of 12 percent in the apple estimate to 1,204,000 bushels of commercial
apples is attributed to failure to size after the rains came. Pears also failed to equal
earlier expectations.
October milk production of 304 million pounds was 5 percent above last year and 3
percent above the 10 year average. The seasonal-decline was less than usual as improved
pastures held production up. /
Egg production in October was 256 milium eggs, 120 percent of last year. The rate of
ay per 100 layers made a new high recp-fa and the number of layers is 116 percent of
last year. Production for the first 10 months was 2j499 million eggs or 110 percent of
last year. 
UNITED STATES
The total volume of all-crop production edged up slightly during October as harvest
of most crops reached or neared completion. While the 1954 total will be relatively large
itkas been exceeded by 4 of the previous 6 years. Severe drought in some areas and extensive shifts in land use held output well below 1953 and 1952. Above-normal October rain-
all in most northern and North Central States, although causing some delay in harvesting late crops, greatly aided fall seedings of grains and forage crops, revived pastures,
ud added to soil moisture supplies for next year's crops.   \
The corn crop is now estimated at 2,939 million bushels, a/decrease of 11 million
pushels since October 1. Harvest progress in important NortH Central corn States has
*en delayed by heavy and continued rains and lags considerably behind the early completion dates in 1953 and 1952. Corn is well matured and only relatively minor losses,
^her in quantity or quality, are expected to result from the delay.
Harvest of the record soybean crop, now estimated at 338 million bushels, moved
ihead unevenly having reached virtual completion in some areas but delayed in other
'reas where continued rains prevented combining. Combining of grain sorghums is
Ktive in the Central Great Plains following some sharp freezes, and is nearly finished
Bmost other areas. Rice is virtually all harvested in the South, but in California maturity
*as delayed by cool weather. Conditions were unfavorable for Maine potato digging.
^tern apple losses were heavy and salvage operations hurried due to Atlantic hurri-
^le winds. Elsewhere, the fruit and vegetable harvests generally followed normal seasonal patterns.
A relatively high level of yields per acre has been obtained this year which in the
^egate will reach fourth highest of record. Only barley, cotton, and tobacco seem
and records, but winter wheat, potatoes and sugar beets are second high
•Bo nee third highest of record. Above-average yields are estimated for corn, oats, rye,
*5< sugarcane, dry beans and peas. Yields are below average for spring wheat, flax-
*W. peanuts and sweetpotatoes.