No. 484 October 1,  1965
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
Indiana weather during September climaxed an unusually favorable growing season
for corn and soybeans. Soil moisture held to at least adequate levels and temperatures
averaged near the normal mark. Field work was hampered by the generous rainfall
and lagged behind usual progress.
Corn yield is now forecast at a record high 96.0 bushels per acre, 24 bushels more
than was obtained under the drought conditions last year. This is the highest yield
in the nation and compares with a 94.0 bushel yield in Illinois, and 81.0 bushel yield
in Iowa. Indiana corn production, also a record, is expected to total 463,872,000
bushels. This is 37 percent more than last year and 34 percent more than average.
The corn crop was 80 percent mature on October 1.
Soybean production is forecast at 86,594,000 bushels, 30 percent more than last
year and 23 percent larger than average. The October 1 forecast of 29.0 bushels per
acre is also the high for the nation this year, and a new record for Indiana. Harvest
has progressed slowly with only 20 percent combined on October 1.
Sorghum grain production, forecast at 560,000 bushels, is up 40 percent from last
year but 30 percent less than average. The October 1 prospective yield, at 70.0 bushels
per acre, is a record high and compares with 50.0 bushels last year and 59.2 bushels
for average.
Stocks of old crop corn on Indiana farms, estimated at 13,510,000 bushels, is 52
percent less than a year ago and 27 percent less than average. Wheat stocks, at
6,186,000 bushels is 25 percent less than last year, but 1 percent more than the
5-year average. Farm stocks of oats, at 12,370,000 bushels, is 1 percent above last
year, but 52 percent below average. Barley stocks, at 294,000 bushels, are 21 percent
below last year, and 58 percent below average. Rye stocks, at 381,000 bushels are
17 percent below October 1 a year earlier.
The October 1 forecast for the total Indiana Potato crop is 1,830,000 cwt., 15 percent
above last year and 12 percent above average. The October 1 prospective yield of
Indiana's state summer potatoes, at 255 cwt. per acre is well above the 192 cwt. yield
last year and the average yield of 187 cwt. Fall potato yield, a 260 cwt. per acre
is up from both the 245 cwt. yield last year and the 232 cwt. average yield.
Tobacco yield is forecast at a record 2,250 pounds per acre as of October 1. This
compares with the 1,940 pound yield last year and the average of 1,908 pounds.
Tobacco production in Indiana is expected to total 15,075,000 pounds.
The October 1 all hay yield is forecast at 2.16 tons per acre, well above both the
1.88 ton yield attained last year and the 1.86 ton average. The total Indiana hay
production is estimated at 2,691,000 tons, above last year by 12 percent and average
by 7 percent.
Indiana apple production, at 1,850,000 bushels compares with the 1964 apple production of 2,300,000 bushels. The October 1 forecast of peach production, at 250,000
bushels, is 40 percent below 1964 and 9 percent below average.
September milk production totaled 273,000,000 pounds, 2 percent below last year but
2 percent above the September 5-year average.
Egg production during September totaled 164 million eggs, the same as a year earlier.
A decline in number of layers on hand was offset by an increase in the rate of lay.
UNITED STATES
September, generally cool and wet slowed development of crops in northern areas,
but provided plentiful moisture for crop growth. Frosts in late September lowered
Prospects   for  late  fields   especially   in   the   Minnesota-Dakota   areas   and   hurricane