No. 466
April 1, 1964
INDIANA CROPS AND LIVESTOCK
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
STATISTICAL REPORTING SERVICE
COOPERATING WITH
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA
INDIANA
The 1964 crop of winter wheat in Indiana is forecast at 49,280,000 bushels, a 10 percent
smaller crop than the near record 54,530,000 bushels produced in 1963, but 24 percent
more than average. While dry soil conditions last fall slowed germination and growth,
additional moisture came when needed, and the crop came through the winter in good
condition.
Wheat stocks on farms April 1 were at a record low of 545,000 bushels. This is 46
percent less than a year earlier and 58 percent less than average.
Corn stocks on farms April 1 totaled 181,734,000 bushels, 7 percent more than a year
ago and a new record high. Compared with average, April 1 stocks were 23 percent
larger. Oats on farms April 1 totaled 10,203,000 bushels, down 12 percent from a year
ago, and down 17 percent from average. Farm stocks of barley, at 216,000 bushels, are
down 16 percent from a year ago and 41 percent below average. Sorghum grain farm
stocks, at 170,000 bushels, are 29 percent more than a year earlier, but 31 percent less
than average.
Soybeans in farm storages April 1 totaled a record 17,128,000 bushels, 41 percent more
than a year ago and 34 percent more than average. January 1, 1964 stocks were 14
percent above a year earlier.
Egg production during March at 206 million was about the same as March 1963 and
up seasonally 11 percent from February. The number of layers on Indiana farms was
10,540,000, down one percent from a year ago. The monthly rate of lay at 1950 eggs per
100 layers compares with 1941 in March 1963.
Milk production totaled 286 million pounds in March. This is 3 percent above March
1963 and 6 percent above average. March production is up seasonally 11 percent from
February. The condition of Indiana pastures at 83 percent of normal on April 1 compares
with 89 percent a year before and an average of 84 percent.
UNITED STATES
Winter wheat production is forecast at 1,011 million bushels, 12 percent larger than
last year but slightly less than average. The crop, while developing slowly, survived the
winter in good condition and prospects are favorable. The estimated yield per seeded
acre of 23.5 bushels is 2.0 bushels per acre more than last year but a half bushel below
average.
Cool weather during much of March throughout most winter grain areas retarded
development, but by the end of March winter wheat and other small grains in the Central
and Southern States were showing new growth. Rainfall was received in March and early
April over much of the winter grain producing area. Grains in the northern States are
still mostly in the dormant stage, though some limited greening is developing in local
areas. Crops are generally in good condition throughout the country and little winterkill is evident. Army worms have appeared in winter wheat fields of southwestern Kansas,
but damage so far has not been extensive. Minor winter wheat losses occurred from high
winds and dry soils in western Kansas and the Oklahoma Panhandle. Dry soils are causing
some concern to small grain growers in southeastern Colorado and New Mexico with
moisture needed soon to prevent serious deterioration. Parts of central and southern
California have poor stands and growth has been stunted. In the northern Corn Belt