No. 253 October, 1, 1946
INDIANA CROPS AND LIVESTOCK
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
COOPERATING WITH
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA
INDIANA
October 1 prospects indicate a record crop of corn for Indiana. The estimated produc-
tion of 243,100,000 bushels is three percent larger than the 1945 crop and thirty-five percent larger than the average production during the ten year period 1935-44. The probable
yield of 52.0 bushels per acre is third highest on record. Although the over-all October 1
corn prospects remained the same as a month ago, there was a slight change within the
state—the northern area which has suffered from drouth showed some improvement
while the southern area of the state showed slight deterioration. Favorable weather during September advanced the maturity of corn beyond danger of cold weather damage.
Soybean prospects remain the same as a month ago. The estimated production of
25,800,000 bushels is 8 percent smaller than the 1945 crop but 85 percent greater than
the 1935-44 average production. Light frosts followed by warm, dry weather during September provided excellent conditions for maturing" and harvesting beans.
Potato prospects show no change from a month ago. The production forecast of
3,720,000 bushels is five percent smaller than last year and 28 percent smaller than the
1935-44 average production.
A slightly smaller hay crop is forecast than was in prospect a month ago which is a
reflection of the lighter precipitation during August and September. The estimated production of 2,645,000 tons is four percent below last year and three percent larger than the
1935-44 average production.
Prospects for pears and commercial apples improved last month. The commercial apple
forecast of 1,386,000 bushels is 67 percent larger than last year and pear production is
estimated at 141,000 bushels which is three percent smaller than 1945.
Milk production per cow continues at a high level. September milk production of 303
million pounds is four percent less than the same month a year ago. The reduction in milk
production is due to about a six percent reduction in milk cow numbers.
Egg production for September of 118 million eggs is five percent below a year ago.
Production since January 1 is 1,608 million eggs, which is three percent below last year.
The carry-over of corn on farms of 15,916,000 bushels is 19 percent larger than a year
ago and three percent larger than the 1935-44 average. Wheat on farms at 8,894,000
bushels is 15 percent less than a year ago and 15 percent smaller than the 1935-44 average.
Oats on farms at 44,311,000 is four percent less than a year ago and 44 percent larger than
the 1935-44 average.
UNITED STATES
The promise of the greatest volume of crop production in history is being realized as
the 1946 growing season nears an end. Conditions during September, while not favorable
in all localities, maintained or improved previous prospects for most crops. The record
1946 corn crop is maturing with little frost damage, and good quality is assured. Estimated
production of nearly all crops is slightly higher than a month earlier. These improvements
regained part of the August losses, and raised the estimated aggregate volume to 2.5
percent more than the previous high of 1942 and 26.4 percent above the 1923-32 level.
Contributions to this largest aggregate volume of crops ever produced are made by-
record quantities of many commodities. Potatoes moved into the all-time record group
this month, joining corn, wheat, tobacco, peaches, pears, plums and truck crops. Oats, rice
and peanuts moved a step nearer to production records. Also in the near-record class are
erapes, cherries and sugar cane. Average or better crops are still promised for hay, soy-
beans, dry peas, prunes, apricots, hops and sugar beets, while flaxseed, sorghum grain,
buckwheat, sweetpotatoes, and apples moved up into this class during September. Cotton
production prospects dropped to the lowest level in 25 years. Other below-average crops
include rye, broomcorn, dry beans, and pecans, though dry beans prospects improved during September. The oil crops group remained at a lower level than last year, despite
mereases during September in prospects for soybeans, flaxseed and peanuts, while cottonseed declined. Food grains and feed grains as groups continue at the highest aggregate
Production level on record.
Throughout the North and most of the West temperatures averaged above normal for
the month  which helped crops mature. In this same large area rainfall was mostly ample,
out did not interfere greatly with farm operations.   The chief exception to otherwise