No. 391 April 1, 1958
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 37,584,000 bushels. This production, if realized,
ould be 16 percent above last year's crop of 32,360,000 bushels and 4 percent above the
10year (1947-56) average of 36,177,000 bushels. The acreage seeded last fall is estimated
it 1,296,000 acres, the same as a year earlier. No unusual acreage losses have occurred
up to April 1 but early spring growth has been retarded by unfavorable growing weather.
Corn stocks on farms April 1 totalled 135,978,000 bushels. This is 8 percent less than a
•year earlier but is 21 percent above the JO year (1947-56) average. Oat stocks of
0,832,000 bushels were 34 percent less than '^tocks on April 1 last year and were 29 per-
tent below the, 10 year (1947-56) average of 15,366,000 bushels. Barley stocks of 462,000
ushels were 17 percent smaller than a year edgier but were two and one-half times
average. Rye stocks of 135,000 bushels were aboiit one-half larger than last year's relatively small stocks of 88,000 bushels and were m percent above the 10 year average.
Meat stocks of 1,780,000 bushels were 41 percent';larger than last year but were 51 per-
ent below avei-age. Stocks of soybeans on farms 'twere estimated at 12,189,000 bushels.
Ms is only slightly below the 12,338,000 bushj-Os-mi farms April 1, 1957 but is two-thirds
arger than the average of 7,241,000-busKelsT Stocks of sorghum grain totalled 227,000
ashels as compared with 40,000 bushels a year earlier.
March egg production at 226 million eggs was 3 percent above the 219 million produced
J March 1957. The rate of lay, at 1,841 eggs per 100 layers was 4 percent below a year
ago while the number of layers at 12,284,000 was 7 percent greater than a year ago.
Milk production in March is estimated at 315 million pounds. This is 14 percent above
February production of 276 million but is 6 percent below the March 1957 production of
S36 million pounds. April 1 pasture conditions were reported at 78 percent of normal as
ompared with 87 percent a year ago and the 10 year average of 84 percent.
UNITED STATES
A cold wet March continued to halt or slow farming operations over much of the
Nation. Winter wheat prospects were maintained or improved throughout most of the
•lains and the Northwest. Vegetable crop planting and harvest were further delayed but
bits generally escaped cold damage and Florida citrus made rapid condition recovery.
Periods of heavy snow in Mid-Atlantic States and elsewhere, and heavy and continued
"ainfall in California and in many Central and Southern areas hindered crops and live-
tock affairs and contributed to increased livestock feeding and less than usual increases
' milk and egg production. Stocks of feed grains remaining on farms, however, on April
were almost an eighth larger than a year earlier. Western irrigation prospects im-
"oved and are generally excellent. Grazing prospects, although still lagging in much
I the South, average the best in recent years and are especially promising throughout
lie West.
Winter wheat prospects in the Great Plains continue to be outstandingly favorable.
Abundant snows and rains kept soils wet and almost blanked out soil blowing in Plains
•teas where heavy losses have occurred in dry years. The April 1 forecast of 964 million
sushels points to the fourth largest winter wheat crop yet grown, not exceeded since 1952
»d larger than last year's total winter and spring wheat outturn. Many fields in eastern
-nd southeastern sections show rather poor condition, especially those planted late or
Aversely affected by soil heaving which was not uncommon in March. Excellent prospects
"the Northwest and Plains States far outweigh areas of lesser acreage with poor pros-
?ects. The expected yield per seeded acre resulting from low winter acreage loss and high
April 1 condition now looks record high by a wide margin. Winter oats and barley look
ess favorable with many southeastern plantings less likely to be harvested for grain
:tan usually expected at this date. t
Farm stocks of feed grains on April 1 were almost an eighth larger in total tonnage
ian a year earlier. With sorghum grain excluded from average comparisons, the April 1
tocks were almost a fourth above average. Compared with a year earlier, the April 1
'"ldings of corn were 3 percent larger, oats 31 percent larger, barley 41 percent larger,