No. 410 October 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
The corn outlook declined in September while record tying yields of soybeans were
still in prospect at the close of the month. The first part of September brought unseasonably high day and night temperatures which were followed by frosts and freezing temperatures in northern portions at mid-month. Dry soil conditions became progressively
wide spread until the 26th when general rains covered virtually all of the state.
Corn production is now expected to total 354,900,000 bushels. This would still be the
state's largest crop and would place this year's production 28 percent above last year and
41 percent above the 1948-57 10-year average. Yields are expected to average 65.0
bushels per acre, a record high for the state but less than was forecast September 1.
Growth was stopped in scattered late planted fields by frosts on September 16-18 and
numerous fields not yet mature were hit by leaf blight particularly those where non-
resistant varieties were planted. Picking was started during the latter part of the month
but was limited largely to seed production fields or for meeting current feed requirements.
A soybean crop totalling 57,850,000 bushels is still in prospect. If realized, this would
be 1 percent below last year but 40 percent above the 10-year average. The average yield
is forecast at 26.5 bushels per acre, same as last year, but 3.6 bushels above the 10-year
average of 22.9 bushels. This year's crop has matured well ahead of the 1957 and 1958
crops. Combining was about 50 percent completed at the close of September as compared
with about 20 percent for 1958 and just under 30 percent in 1957 at the same time.
Farm Stocks of old crop corn are estimated at 10.7 million bushels and 14 percent
below those of a year ago and 39 percent below average. Wheat Stocks are estimated at
5.4 million bushels, and were 40 percent below last year's stocks and 41 percent below
average. Oat Stocks totalled 23.7 million bushels and were 33 percent below a year
earlier and 36 percent below average. Barley Stocks of .9 million bushels were 24 percent
below a year ago but 37 percent above average. Rye Stocks of .4 million bushels were
74 percent below last year and 79 percent below average.
This year's hay production is expected to total 2,272,000 tons or 7 percent below last
year and 14 percent below average. The average yield of 1.60 tons per acre is below last
year's yield of 1.64 tons but is above the 10-year average of 1.55 tons per acre. Pasture
conditions became progressively worse during the month and at 73 percent of normal on
October 1 were far below the October 1, 1958 condition of 96 and were poorest for the
date since 1955.
The commercial apple production outlook of 1,525,000 bushels remained unchanged
from a month ago and is 6 percent below last year but 7 percent above average. The
peach crop is estimated at 365,000 bushels as compared with 500,000 bushels in 1958 and
the 10-year average of 372,000 bushels. Grape production of 1,500 tons is 15 percent above
last year and 30 percent above average.
Milk production in September totalled 375 million pounds as compared with 399
million pounds in September a year ago and the 10-year average of 408 million. September egg production totalled 167 million as compared with 174 million in August and
176 million in September 1958. The September rate of lay at 1,536 eggs per 100 layers
was 1 percent higher than a year ago while the number of layers at 10,890,000 was
6 percent smaller.
UNITED STATES
Total crop production equal to the record of last year now seems likely, given successful harvest of late crops. Frosts, earlier than usual in some northern areas caused
only minor damage as crop maturity was well advanced. September rains, excessive in
some sections, hampered harvesting with losses of both volume and quality in some
falities, mainly in southern sections.
„ Corn prospects edged upward 1 percent during September to widen the margin to
nearly 17 percent above the former record volume produced a year ago. The cotton crop
unproved slightly during the month as a favorable period around mid-month offset
adverse conditions at the beginning and end. Spring wheat showed minor gains, both for
durum and other spring varities. Sorghum, rice, dry beans, sugar beets, and hay all