No. 109 October 1,  1934
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
By October 1, the drought had been quite largely broke}
so far as top soil moisture condition was concerned, excepting
and Dearborn counties, which were still in serious need for rain^
were still in a growing condition when the rains came, responded
well and as a result were reported in a much better condition than a month
earlier. In most areas of the state the soil has been in excellent condition for the
seeding of fall sown grains.
The corn crop of Indiana, upon thfe basis of reported probable yield and condition, is now forecast at 102,025,000 bushels compared with 127,263,000 bushels
last year and the 1927-1931 average of 146,379,000 bushels. Generally throughout
the state the crop is poorer than was thought earlier in the season, due to the
extreme heat in July causing many t barren stalks and poorly filled ears. The
chinch bugs and corn ear worms also have taken their toll resulting in much
chaffy and low quality grain. The crop was most seriously affected by adverse
factors in the three most northern districts of the state and the best prospects
in the central and southwestern portions of the state. The stocks of old corn on
farms October 1 were estimated at 5,894,000 bushels which is 36 percent of last
year and 28 percent of two years ago.
The yield per acre of oats was reported the lowest on record indicating a crop
this year of 16,731,000 bushels compared with 28,730,000 bushels in 1933 and the
five year average of 61,328,000 bushels. The stocks of oats on farms were esti-
mateu at 14,054,000 bushels which is 61 percent of last year and 33 percent of
two years ago.
The stocks of wheat on farms October 1, were estimated at 13,332,000 bushels
which is 19 percent more than last year and 9 percent less than two years ago.
Due to excellent growing conditions, potato crop prospects improved greatly
during September indicating a crop on October 1, about 25 percent greater than
indicated a month earlier. The crop is now forecast at 4,200,000 bushels compared with 3,192,000 bushels last year and the five year average of 4,801,000
bushels.
Soybeans harvested for grain this year have been forecast at 2,115,000
bushels compared with 1,650,000 bushels last year and the five year average of
1,673,000 bushels.
The tame hay crop is now indicated to be 1,678,000 tons this year compared
with 1,795,000 tons harvested in 1933 and the five year average of 2,053,000 tons.
The yield per acre of all clover and timothy hay which constitutes about 60 percent of the Indiana hay crop was considerably farther below the average yield
than that of alfalfa and soybeans.
Pasture made the greatest improvement in condition during September of
any crop, rising from 55 percent of normal to 74 percent, and provide at this
time an abundant amount of very succulent feed. The condition now stands at a
level which is 14 points above last year and 3 points below the 1922-1931 average.
The fall rains have been very beneficial in adding size to all fruits and as a
result prospects are for larger crops than anticipated a month ago. The apple
crop is now forecast at 900,000 bushels compared with an average of 1,895,000
bushels, the peach crop at 192,000 bushels compared with an average of 700,000
bushels, the pear crop at 178,000 bushels compared with an average of 201,000
bushels, and the grape crop at 2,738 tons compared with an average of 2,608 tons.
Milk production per cow milked in herd of crop reporters' was reported at
18.5 pounds compared with the five year average of 19.0 pounds. There were 73.1
percent of all milk cows being milked compared with an average of 74.4 percent.
The two factors combined have contributed to a somewhat smaller total production.
The number of hens and pullets of laying age in flocks of crop reporters' having less than 340 hens and pullets of laying age, was 84.4 birds compared with
the 1927-1931 average of 92.8 with a production of 24.9 eggs per 100 hens, which
was about the average production.
ROBERT E. STRASZHEIM, MINER M. JUSTIN,
Ass't. Agric. Statistician. Agricultural Statistician.