No.428 April 1, 1961
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 41,695,000 bushels. This is unchanged from the
December 1, 1960 forecast and represents an increase of 17 percent over the 10-year
11950-59) average but a decline of less than one percent from last year's production.
Acreage seeded last fall was estimated at 1,345,000 acres or 5 percent above the 1960
acreage seeded but 9 percent below average. The Wheat crop came through the winter in
good condition. With an adequate snow cover during periods of extremely low temperatures and above normal temperatures in March, winter kill was held to a minimum. Growth
I about normal and all the crop needs is warm weather. General farm activities and early
spring crop development progressed well during March.
Stocks of Corn on farms April 1 totaled 152,921,000 bushels, the largest on record. These
stocks were 10 percent larger than a year earlier and 24 percent larger than the 10-year
average. Oat stocks of 15,712,000 bushels were 57 percent larger than a year ago and
slightly above average.
Barley stocks on farms totaling 292,000 bushels were the smallest April 1 stocks since
1954. This year's stocks were 27 percent smaller than a year ago but 2 percent above
average. Rye stocks of 106,000 bushels were 9 percent above last year but 15 percent
below the 10-year average.
Wheat stocks of 628,000 bushels were 4 percent below last year's April 1 stocks and 79
percent below average. Farm stocks of Soybeans totaled 8,557,000 bushels and were 53
percent below April 1, 1960 stocks and 9 percent below average. Stocks of Sorghum Grain
n farms totaled 267,000 or 36 percent above a year ago and 31 percent above average.
March egg production of 223 million eggs was 3 percent smaller than the 230 million
produced in March 1960. The monthly rate of lay at 2,003 eggs per 100 layers was 4 percent above the March 1960 rate of 1,931 eggs, while the number of layers at 11,118,000
is 7 percent smaller than a year ago.
Milk production in March is estimated at 270 million pounds. This is 16 percent above
February production and 3 percent above March a year ago. April 1 pasture condition was
reported at 91 percent of normal as compared with 83 percent a year earlier and the
April 1 10-year average of 84 percent.
UNITED STATES
The 1961 crop season is off to a favorable early start as above normal March temperatures and adequate moisture supplies stimulated plant growth. Early spring field work
progressed at a normal pace over most of the western half of the Nation but was lagging
in the eastern half due to wet weather. However, progress was generally ahead of last
year's very backward spring. Temperatures were generally above normal for all areas
except the Pacific Coast States. Precipitation during the month was near normal for most
of the Nation. Exceptions were North Dakota and parts of adjoining States where rainfall
"vas below normal. In Central and Southern Plains States and the Pacific Northwest
rainfall was well above normal.
Winter Wheat was beginning to emerge from dormancy by early March and took
advantage of the above normal March temperatures to register significant amounts of
growth and development. Winterkill is evident in local areas but as a whole is of only
minor importance. Excessive moisture in the Northwest and along major rivers in Central
and Southern areas is causing some concern. Adequate moisture supplies in the important
Great Plains Wheat Belt were providing good early spring growth that minimized the
threat of damage from soil blowing. Welcome snow and rains over much of the Southern
and Central Plains supplied needed moisture to fields and improved the general crop outlook. Winter wheat shows rapid and early growth for the season with considerable
j»uthern acreage jointing and a limited acreage heading. Mild weather and rain in the
Far Northwest stimulated rapid growth of all winter grains. Wheat, oats, and barley
continued to grow rapidly in the Gulf States although rain caused considerable damage in
a few localities. Wheat in the Corn Belt emerged from the winter in generally good
condition and is responding favorably to warmer weather with good growth and generous
stooline. The April 1 forecast of 1,099 million bushels is nearly 2 percent below the 1960