No. 131  August 1, 1986.
INDIANA
CROPS AND LIVESTOCK
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
DIVISION OP CROP AND LIVESTOCK
CO-OPERATING WITH     
PURDUE UNIVERSITY 
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL STATIS
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA
INDIANA
Weather in Indiana during July continued dry and hot. Rainfall, deficient for the
fifth successive month was unevenly distributed.
Corn condition was 46 percent of normal, 29 points below the (1923-32) average.
Much of the early corn in all sections of the state was beyond help August 1. The condition
of the later corn is very spotted due to local rains. In many localities, the line between
good and poor corn is quite distinct. The forecasted production is 111,900,000 bushels; last
year, 160,474,000; five year (1928-32) average, 155,968,000 bushels.
Wheat harvesting has been done under most favorable conditions. All sections report
wheat yielding better than expected. Quality and test have been quite generally above
average. A yield of 17.5 bushels per acre and a production of 32,200,000 bushels is estimated. Last year's production was 29,109,000 bushels and the five year (1928-32) average
is 26,458,000 bushels.
Oats harvest was from one to two weeks earlier than usual. Condition of 55 is one
point above last month. Some fields of oats too short to bind were mowed or pastured.
Some of these mowed were later threshed. Quality of the threshed grain is reported
uneven, and condition for feed and storage, excellent. A yield of 24.0 bushels per acre and
a production of 32,064,000 bushels is forecasted. Production last year was estimated to be
38,610,000 bushels.
Barley condition at 59 was 2 points below last month. Usually, there is no change in
condition between July and August. A yield of 17.0 bushels per acre is forecast.
Rye has been threshing out better than expected. A yield of 12.0 bushels per acre and
a production of 1,188,000 is the present estimate.
Potatoes were reported at 39 percent of normal, 15 points below last month, and 41
points below the ten year average. While many of the early potatoes are reported as failure and poor stands were secured on many late planted fields, the condition in the northern
muck areas is considered good enough to make satisfactory yields. A state yield of 60
bushels per acre is estimated.
Sweet potatoes at 53 percent of normal were four points below last month while the
usual change is a drop of 2 points. Much of the state's acreage is in the far southwestern
corner and was not benefitted by late July rains as were nearby areas.
Tobacco improved in condition 5 points since July 1 due mainly to late July rains over
the principal tobacco sections. Generally, stands are poor and plants are small for
August 1.
Soybeans condition was reported as 52; last year it was 83 and the ten year average
is 77. The crop has withstood the drouth well, and is still in position to benefit greatly
from rain.
Cowpeas reported as 54; last year, 71; ten year average, 74. Much of this crop is
grown in the southwest where late July rains helped it. Last year, this same district was
low in condition on August 1 because of too much rain.
Tame hay condition was 52, alfalfa 53 and timothy and clover 50. Few clover fields
have made much second growth. Second cutting alfalfa was light. Further cutting depends on rains. Grain hay is reported as yielding .60 tons per acre. A total production of
1-892,000 tons of all tame hay is estimated; last year, 2,586,000 tons.
Pastures were reported at 23, or 50 points below the ten year average. Most of the
feed that does remain in pastures is as dry as hay.
Dry weather has caused a considerable apple drop and reduced the size of fruit remaining on trees. A production of 270,000 bushels is estimated. Peach prospects are for a
light crop of 12,000 bushels.
Generally, pears have stood the dry weather well. A crop of 50,000 bushels is expected.
Many grape vines show dry, burned leaves. Heat and dry weather are preventing normal
zmg of the fruit.
On Reporters' farms, flocks of 330 or less hens and pullets of laying age averaged 78
oirds; a year ago, 77. The percent laying was 37.3; a year ago, 38.9.
On Reporters' farms, 76.4 percent of the cows were being milked; last month, 77.6; a
year ago, 75.9. Daily production per cow milked was 18.5 pounds; last month, 20.8; a year
ago, 19.6.
UNITED STATES
Continued drought brought August 1 indications down to the smallest corn crop in
tty years, and the smallest potato crop in twenty years.  Pastures are very poor.  Light
ops of wheat, rye, buckwheat, beans and fruits are expected.
FRANK L. MERRILL, MINER M. JUSTIN,
Asst. Agric. Statistician. Agricultural Statistician.