No. 369 June 1, 1956
INDIANA CROPS AND LIVESTOCK
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE
AGRICULTURAL ESTIMATES DIVISION
COOPERATING WITH
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA
INDIANA
Wheat prospects improved in May about one bushel per acre. The production forecast
of 31220 000 bushels is 8 percent below 1955 and 12 percent below the 1945-54 average.
The prospective yield of 27.0 bushels per acre is 2 bushels below last year, though 4
bushels above the 10 year average. Prospects are very good except in areas in the southeast where winter damage occurred.
The general condition of spring crops is good. Planting of corn and soybeans was a
little behind last year on June 1 because of heavy rains the last week of May in the
central part of the state. The condition of hay and pasture is a few points above average.
Peach production is forecast at 420,000 bushels against 90,000 last year and the average
of 478 000 bushels.
Milk production in May was 399 million pounds, 10 million below last year but 13 million
tbove average. Production per cow was slightly below last year, probably because early
May pastures were slow because of cool, dry weather.
Egg production in May was 229 million eggs, a gain of 23 million over last year. There
were 11 percent more layers, and the laying rate was very slightly lower.
UNITED STATES 
Crop prospects made gains during May despite some adverse conditions but are still
less promising than at this time last year.
Much needed rains brightened the future  for large acreages of corn, cotton, Soybeans,
Much needed rains brightened the future .
sorghum and other crops just getting a start and brought soil moisture which wis needed
before additional plantings could be made. However, many sections had insufficent rain
ind badly need more soil moisture. Frosts in many northern sections reduced some fruit
crops. Warmer weather is generally needed ti promote normal plant growth over much
of the Nation, especially over the Eastern half.
The winter wheat crop is now forecast at 670 million bushels, down 2 percent  from last
month's prospects, chiefly because of additional abandonment of acreage in the central
Great Plains States, and in Montana. The reduction in acreage more than offsets the
higher yields in Texas and Oklahoma where harvesting was already under way by June 1
and in States east of the Mississippi River. Yields from early harvested wheat were above
txpectations in Oklahoma and Texas. Larger total outturns are now in prospect in both
States. The Kansas crop suffered from high temperatures during the second and third
weeks of May but beneficial rains and moderate weather since then have prevented
farther deterioration.
A spring wheat crop of about 252 million bushels now seems probable on the basis of
conditions reported to June 1. This production would exceed last year's extremely small
"op by about 8 percent. Spring wheat is off to a good start in most areas. Acreage in
orthwestern States is considerably larger than intended earlier because of the large
winter-killed acreage of winter wheat which is mostly being replanted to spring wheat.
Adding spring wheat to the winter wheat crop, an all wheat crop of nearly 923 million
ahels or 2 percent below last year is indicated. Rye condition is reported at well above
year ago although below average.
All crops" prospects on June 1, as seen by crop reporters for their own localities are
ss favorable than usual at this date, reflecting the prevailing slowness of crop progress.
for the Nation these overall appraisals of crop prospects are lowest for the date since
W5. Only in South Central and Western regions do they exceed last year. Western Corn
Jit States average the lowest since 1939. Some general rains which came just after
1 reports were submitted may result in improved crop outlook in many localities,
pecially if followed by good growing weather.
orn planting, a major field job in May throughout the Corn Belt, has been mostly
[mpleted in West North Central States and by early June much of the crop there had
cultivated. In Ohio, only about two-thirds of the corn acreage was planted by June 1;
•Michigan about one-half but very little in northern Pennsylvania and New York. Most