No. 8 May 1, 1963
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 1963 production of winter wheat is forecast at 48,248,000 bushels for Indiana based
;pon the condition of the crop May 1. If realized, this production would be 24 percent
argerthan last year's crop of 38,908,000 bushels and the largest crop the state has had in
io years (the 1918 crop totaled 51,707,000 bushels). The production forecast is based on an
adicated yield of 37.0 bushels per harvested acre which exceeds the previous record yield
;f 35.5 bushels per harvested acre set last year. The 5-year average yield is 30.3 bushels
per harvested acre. The acreage remaining for grain harvest, at 1,304,000 acres, is 19 percent above the 1,096,000 acres harvested in 1962 and 3 percent more than average. The
:rop came through the winter months in generally good condition, and temperatures and
soil moisture supplies this spring have been mostly favorable for winter wheat growth.
Wheat growth averaged a consistent two inches per week during April and on May 1
averaged 1 inch taller than usual.
Hay stocks on farms May 1 totaled 449,000 tons, compared with the 327,000 tons on
iarms May 1, 1962 and the average for the date of 481,000 tons. Disappearance of hay
:otaled 1,298,000 tons since January 1, 1963, 14 percent less than for the comparable
period last year. Availability of other roughage and the earlier use of pastures this spring
were factors in lowering the disappearance of hay stocks this year. Pasture condition on
May 1 was rated by reporters at 90 percent of normal, up 10 percentage points from the
same date last year. Hay condition, at 91 percent of normal, compares with 82 percent
reported a year ago and is the same as usual. Sufficient topsoil moisture and generally
moderate temperatures during April were beneficial to the crop.
Egg production in April totaled 197 million eggs. This is 4 percent below the April
1962 production. The monthly rate of lay at 1,959 eggs per 100 layers was about the same
as the rate of 1,962 eggs a year earlier. The April number of layers, estimated at
10,074,000 was 4 percent less than during April a year ago.
Milk production in April is estimated at 284 million pounds. This is 3 percent above the
March production of 277 million pounds and is also 3 percent more than the April 1962
atal of 277 million pounds.
UNITED STATES
Production of winter wheat is forecast at 885 million bushels, 5 percent below the April
estimate, 11 percent less than average, but 8 percent more than last year. Greatest losses
production prospects from early April occurred in the Central and Southern Plains
here continued drought parched wheat fields already damaged by severe winter weather
and locally severe infestations of army worms. Here, in an area centering in northeastern
ew Mexico, southeastern Colorado, southwestern Kansas, and the panhandle areas of
Texas and Oklahoma, many fields reached the point of no return and some farmers began
destroying the poorest fields. Elsewhere, except in the Northern Plains and the Pacific
Coast States, April weather was dry, but rains starting the last of April renewed hopes
or the crop. In the Northern Plains, soil moisture was adequate during April and in the
Pacific Northwest weather was too cool and wet for the best development of the crop.
i In the past 10 years the average change in the United States production estimate from
1 to harvest has been 79 million bushels, ranging from a maximum of 164 million
&ushels to a minimum of 9 million bushels. Yield per harvested acre is indicated at 25.5
bushels, nearly 1 bushel above last year, and the fourth highest yield of record. Acreage
to be harvested is indicated at 34.7 million acres, 4 percent more than was harvested last
W. It is expected that 83 percent of the acreage seeded will be harvested for grain.
Condition of rye on May 1 was 83 percent of normal, 3 points below a month earlier and
0 Points below both a year earlier and the May 1 average. Declines from a month ago
urred  a majority of the States primarily because of a lack of moisture.
The states reporting improved condition from April 1 include Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
North Dakota, South Dakota, Georgia, Montana, Idaho, and Oregon. The condition of the