No. 105 June 1, 1984
INDIANA
CROPS AND LIVESTOCK
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
DIVISION OF CROP AND LIVESTOCK ESTIMATES
CO-OPERATING WITH
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA
INDIANA
May was one of the driest months on record. High temperatures, particularly the last few days of the month, have accentuated the effect of the
deficiency in rainfall. Scattered showers the first days of June brought
cooler temperatures and partially relieved the drought in many sections of
the state. In general, corn is clean and a large part of the acreage in excellent position to respond to rain. The drouth has been severest in the
northwestern corner of the state and feed supplies are very short.
Prospects for the winter wheat crop show considerable variation. Condition is better than average in the southwestern section and nearly average in the south central. In the northern half of the state stands were
thinned by winter killing, the drouth has been more intense, and the wheat
is heading short. A yield of 14.5 bushels per acre and a production of
23,678,000 bushels is indicated at this time compared with 22,344,000 bushels
last year and a five year average of 27,401,000 bushels.
Rye condition at 66 is 14 points below average. A yield of 11.0 bushels
per acre and a production of 1,221,000 bushels is indicated. Last year's
production was 890,000 bushels. As rye matures earlier than most grains,
it has been less adversely affected by the drouth.
For the second year in succession, the oats crop is very poor. Condition at 40 percent of normal is 35 points below average and the lowest for
June 1st on record. The crop is heading short in the southern part of the
state. Very little growth occurred during May. Present indications are
that many fields will not be cut for grain.
Condition of barley at 46 percent of normal is 31 points below average.
Condition of all tame hay at 49 percent of normal is 26 points below
average. Lack of rainfall has retarded growth and the crop is very short
especially in the northern part of the state. Stocks of hay are low and
practically exhausted in many sections. The first cutting of clover and
alfalfa will have a low yield.
Pasture condition at 50 is 31 points below average and is the lowest
reported figure for June 1st on record in this state. On June 1st pastures
were just beginning to brown in the northern part of the state and throughout the state are grazed very closely and very little growth is taking place
in the northern two-thirds of the state.
Condition of apples is reported at 30 percent of normal compared with
a ten year average of 60. A production of 591,000 bushels is indicated
compared with 819,000 bushels last year.
The condition of peaches at 10 percent of normal indicates a very small
crop of 64,000 bushels compared with 221,000 bushels last year. This year's
crop is confined to high elevations. Low temperatures last winter killed
most of the peach buds but did little damage to trees.
Pears are reported at 42 percent of normal indicating a crop of 107,000
bushels compared with 100,000 bushels last year.
On Reporters' farms 73.2 percent of the cows were being milked compared with 75.6 percent a year ago. Production per cow milked was 21.8
pounds, the lowest reported for June 1 in the ten years that the record has
been kept. Shortage of hay and pasture has decreased the milk flow. Last
month's average was 19.8 pounds and the ten year average for this month
is 23.4 pounds per cow milked.
On farms having less than 355 hens and pullets of laying age, 49 percent of the hens were laying compared with 58 percent last month and 52
percent a year ago. The average number of hens and pullets per farm
Was 92 compared with 96 last month and 95 a year ago.