No. 44 September 1,1962
INDIANA CROPS AND LIVESTOCK
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
STATISTICAL REPORTING SERVICE
COOPERATING WITH 
PURDUE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA
INDIANA
The crop outlook for Indiana corn and soybeans continues to be favorable although
August weather contributed to a decline from earlier prospects. A rainless period between
August 5 and 25 along with above normal temperatures August 17 to 25 unduly hastened
rop maturity in local areas of northern and southern Indiana, where reserves of moisture
-ere already low. However, crops in central and western areas had sufficient reserves of
moisture to continue plant development during the dry weather.
Production of corn for grain as of September 1 is estimated at 323,456,000 bushels,
5 percent above last year's production of 308,802,000 bushels. An average yield of 76
bushels per acre is in prospect and is 2 bushels more than last year's record high of 74
-ushels. While prospective yields were lowered in some sections of the state because of
adequate rainfall during August, prospective yields are "best ever" in many areas.
Nearly 20 percent of the corn was mature and safe from frost by September 1 making the
rop 10 days to 2 weeks ahead of usual maturity for that date.
Soybean production is expected to total 77,220,000 bushels. If realized, this production
fQI top the 1961 record large crop of 77,084,000 bushels. The average yield is forecast at
216 bushels per acre, down 1.5 bushels from last month's forecast. Last year the average
yield was 28 bushels per acre and the ten-year average yield is 24.1 bushels. Droughty
conditions, particularly north and south, ripened the crop before fully developed. However, because of earlier planting, soybean development has averaged slightly ahead of a
year ago and usual. Thus, most of the crop was well advanced before the dry weather took
ib toll.
The final forecast of oat production places this year's crop at 35,255,000 bushels. This is
52 percent above last year's crop but 26 percent below the ten-year average production.
The 1962 average yield is estimated at 55 bushels per acre and is the second highest of
record being exceeded by the 1960 average yield of 59 bushels per acre. Late July rains
slowed some harvest operations resulting in some fields becoming lodged and weedy.
Hay production is forecast at 2,384,000 tons, about 6 percent less than last year. The
average yield per acre of 1.79 tons compares to 1.86 tons last year and a ten-year average
yield of 1.68 tons. August provided nearly ideal weather for making hay.
Tobacco crop prospects continue to be good. Yields are expected to average 1900 pounds
per acre indicating a 1962 production of 15,390,000 pounds. Harvest operations are averaging ahead of last year and usual. By September 1, 35 percent of the crop was harvested.
Potato production is forecast at 1,765,000 hundredweight, down 3 percent from August
I but 5 percent above average. Short moisture supplies slowed sizing and development of
tubers. Harvest operations in southwestern Indiana's commercial acreage were virtually
complete by September 1, but just beginning in northern commercial areas.
Commercial apple production prospects were unchanged during August. A forecast of
1.850,000 bushels is 37 percent above last year and 21 percent above average. Harvest of
summer varieties was complete by September 1 with harvest of fall varieties expected to
become active by Labor Day. Peach production of 140,000 bushels is 65 percent less than
a year ago. Generally production was limited to southwestern Indiana areas where harvest
operations were complete by September 1.
August milk production totaled 275 million pounds. This is 6 percent below a month
earlier, but 1 percent less than the same month last year. Declines in pasture condition
*ere generally seasonal although somewhat sharper than usual due to the dry spell during
Egg Production during August amounted to 170 million eggs. The rate of lay per
was 1'798 e£gs compared with 1,826 eggs a year earlier. The number of layers
at W2 is 7 percent fewer than August 1961.
UNITED STATES
rainfall was generally below normal over much of the Nation and soil moisture
portages spread during the month. High temperatures across the southern half of the
lountry accentuated the moisture needs of crops. Expected production of such important
psas corn, cotton and soybeans was reduced during the month. Small grains, hay crops,