No. 404 April 1, 1959
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
Winter wheat production is forecast at 39,063,000 bushels. This is 5 percent less than
last year's crop of 40,992,000 bushels and is 9 percent above the 10 year (1948-57)
average of 35,830,000 bushels. The seeded acreage last fall was estimated at 1,347,000
acres or 2 percent more than a year earlier but 11 percent less than the 10 year average
acreage. Winter damage has become apparent in fields while growth and development
to April 1 has been slow due to unfavorable early spring weather. Stands were damaged
in fields where snow, ice and water stood for extended periods. Alternate freezing and
thawing caused some heaving in various localities in the southern third.
Corn stocks on farms April 1 totalled 133,844,000 bushels. This is slightly below stocks
of a year earlier but 14 percent above the 10 year average. Oat stocks of 15,181,000
bushels were 45 percent larger than April 1 stocks last year and were about the same as
the 10 year average.
Barley stocks of 453,000 bushels were 8 percent larger than a year ago and were
slightly more than double the 10 year average. Rye stocks of 80,000 bushels were 38
percent smaller than last year's stocks and were 36 percent below the 10 year average.
Wheat stocks of 2,050,000 bushels were 14 percent larger than a year ago but 43 percent
below average. Stocks of soybeans on farms were estimated at 11,102,000 bushels. This
total is 9 percent smaller than stocks a year earlier but 36 percent larger than average.
Stocks of sorghum grain totalled 303,000 bushels as compared with 277,000 bushels a
year earlier.
March egg production at 227 million eggs was 4 percent above the 218 million produced
in March 1958. The monthly rate of lay at 1,984 eggs per 100 layers was 8 percent above
the March 1958 rate of 1,841 eggs, while the number of layers at 11,450,000 was 3 percent
smaller than a year ago.
Milk production in March is estimated at 293 million pounds. This is 13 percent above
February production of 259 million but is 5 percent below the March 1958 production of
309 million. April 1 pasture conditions were reported at 86 percent as compared with 84
percent a year earlier and the 10 year average of 90 percent.
UNITED STATES
Winter wheat prospects have improved since December in the heavy producing Central
Great Plains which outweigh poorer prospects in some other areas. A cool, wet March
hampered farming operations over the eastern third of the country and in the Central
Plains, but open weather permitted rapid progress in the Southwest, and field work
started earlier than usual in the northern Plains. Spring vegetable production is expected
to be about the same as last year. Citrus fruit prospects were maintained during March
and other fruits generally escaped any serious freeze damage. Western mountain snow-
pack is still light in southern portions, but reservoir storage supplies are adequate. Feed
grain stocks remaining on farms on April 1 were 8 percent above a year earlier, and
farm-stored food grains were over a half larger than a year ago.
Winter wheat prospects improved in the Central Great Plains as the loose, dry soils
blotted up moisture from winter snows, with some fields that germinated poorly in the
fall now showing better stands. The outlook was dimmed in much of the southern Great
Plains where winter moisture additions were insufficient to keep hopes alive for harvest
of a considerable acreage. The April 1 forecast of 966 million bushels is 18 percent below
the 1958 record production but still indicates the fifth largest crop ever produced. Many
fields in the Ohio Valley States show damaged spots from excess water and ice, but total
loss of acreage appears relatively light. In the Mississippi Valley and the Southeast, fall
~"]d winter growth was slow, but prospects have improved with favorable spring moisture
cpplies and warmer temperatures. Prospects in the central and northern Rocky Moun-
sections and Pacific Northwest were generally maintained or improved as soil
moisture was boosted by winter and early spring precipitation. Stands are poorer than a
year ago in most areas, as nearly all important producing sections endured bitter cold
at some time during the winter with a light or lacking snow cover. The expected yield