No. 141 June 1, 1937
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
Rainfall in Indiana was below normal in May in all sections of the state. This is
according to the records of 13 Weather Bureau Stations, well distributed over the state.
During April all sections had reported an excess of precipitation.
Temperatures averaged about normal for the first two thirds of May and were
several degrees above normal the last third of the month. During the last week of May,
surface soil was dry enough to hinder proper seed bed preparation.
Winter wheat condition was reported as 83 percent of normal. This is three points
above last month and 7 points above the ten year (1923-32) average. The usual change
is a 4 point decline. The improvement in condition was nearly uniform in all districts
except the eighth where 87 was reported compared to 88 on May 1. The drier weather
of May has been favorable for the development of the crop and the retardation of
disease.
A yield of 17.5 bushels per acre and a production of 37,835,000 bushels is forecast.
Last year's production was 30,922,000 bushels.
Rye condition reported as 86 is 1 point above last month and 5 points above the ten
year (1923-32) average. A yield of 12.5 bushels per acre and a production of 2,338,000
bushels is the forecast.
Oats were reported to be 78 percent of normal. This is 5 points above last year
and 1 point above the ten year (1923-32) average. Wet weather of April and early May
hindered oats seeding, especially in the north central and northeastern districts. The crop
was making good progress by June 1.
Barley condition was 83; a year ago, 74; ten year (1923-32) average, 78.
Tame hay condition of 76 is an improvement of 11 points since May 1. The average
change is a decline of 4 points. Favorable weather for the grass hays has overcome
somewhat the deficiency of clover stands resulting from last year's dry weather and
the heaving of both clover and alfalfa last winter. On June 1, the state's first cutting
of alfalfa was nearly ready for harvest.
Pasture condition was reported to be 87 percent of normal. This is 14 points above
last month and 7 points above the average. The improvement in condition was uniform
in all districts. Favorable weather since last summer has done much to improve pastures.
Apple trees bloomed well and a good set of fruit is reported. A condition of 78
percent of normal reported compared to the ten year (1923-32) average of 61 indicates
the hopeful outlook for the crop. Peach percentage of a full crop is 69 and 23 percent
above average but the bushels produced is dependent upon many heavily pruned and
weakened trees which survived the 1935-36 freezing, and young trees just coming into
bearing. A production of 388,000 bushels is estimated. Last year's estimate was 10,000
bushels. Pear percentage of a full crop was reported at 76, 21 points above average.
Like other fruits, pears suffered from no frost damage in the spring and the drier
weather of May was favorable. A production of 595,000 bushels is estimated compared
to 176,000 bushels last year. The percentage of a full crop of cherries was reported to
be 80. This is 66 points above last year. A good crop in the northern part of the state,
and a fair crop elsewhere is expected.
On farms of reporters', 75.9 percent of the cows were being milked; last month,
"3.4; a year ago, 76.5. Daily production per cow milked was 23.5 pounds; last month,
20-0; a year ago, 22.8.
On reporters' farms, 53.9 percent of the hens and pullets of laying age were lay-
Jig en June 1. Last month, the percent was 60.8; a year ago, 53.4. The average percent
laying on June 1 for the 12 years (1925-36) was 51.4. The average number of hens and
Pullets per flock was 94; last month, 102; a year ago, 93. Chicks and young chicks per
farm averaged 191; last month 150; a year ago, 231.
UNITED STATES
As a result of substantial rains in nearly all of the dry areas and warmer weathe*
jn the eastern Corn Belt where it was much needed prospects for crops and pastures
have improved markedly during recent weeks and now appear to be close to average
outside of the Great Plains area.
Condition reports on winter wheat, spring wheat, barley, rye, hay crops and pastures were all below average on June 1, but the deficiencies were almost wholly in the