No. 154 July 1, 1938
INDIANA CROPS AND LIVESTOCK
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
CO-OPERATING WITH
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS
WEST LAFAYETTE. INDIANA
INDIANA
June weather conditions in Indiana were generally favorable for crops and farm work.
In the northern two-thirds of the state rainfall was much greater than normal and in the
southern one-third about normal. The first ten days and the last week were rainy delaying farm work. Two weeks of favorable drying weather enabled farmers to clean corn
fields, and to make progress with hay harvest.
On July 1, the 4,047,000 acres of corn, though quite varied over the state in the stage
of growth is generally free of weeds and making normal growth. Yield per acre is forecast at 35 bushels compared with 45 last year and the 1927-36 average of 32.2. A production of 141,645,000 bushels is forecast compared with 211,770,000 last year and the ten
year average of 143,334,000 bushels. Old corn on farms on July 1 is estimated to be
oo,642,000 bushels or 4 times as much as last year and twice as much as average.
The indicated production of winter wheat on 1,984,000 acres is 33,728,000 bushels
compared with 34,592,000 bushels last year and the ten year average of 27,694,000 bushels.
Yield per acre indicated July 1 is 17.0 bushels which is slightly above average. Wheat
harvest is well advanced for the season, but was interrupted by end of the month rains.
Stocks of wheat on farms are estimated to be 2,777.000 bushels or about 50 percent more
than the 10 year average.
The condition of the 1,409,000 acre oats crop indicates a production of 42,270,000
bushels compared with 45,973,000 last year and the ten year average of 49,379,000. Oats
generally are making good growth and reaching maturity with no more than the usual
amount of leaf rust and other damage. Stocks of oats on farms July 1 are estimated to
be 6,634,000 bushels, nearly twice as much as last July and one-fourth above average.
Rye production on 105,000 acres is forecast at 1,260,000 bushels compared with 2,025,000
last year and the ten year average of 1,304,000.
If July 1 prospects are realized 2,967,000 tons of tame hay will be harvested in Indiana
this year from 2,198,000 acres. This production will be 28 percent above last year and 44
percent above the ten year average. Alfalfa production at 829,000 tons compares with
808,000 last year. Clover and timothy production, nearly twice as much as last year, is
forecast at 1,514,000 tons.
The burley tobacco crop on 11,700 acres promises 10,238,000 pounds compared with
11,180,000 last year and the ten year average of 8,288,000.
A production of 4,845,000 bushels of potatoes is forecast on 51,000 acres. Last year's
production was 5,400,000 bushels.
Fruit prospects on July 1 point to much smaller crops than last year. Apple production
of 1,448,000 bushels compares with 1,840,000 for the ten year average. Peach production
at 204,000 bushels is a little less than one-half of the ten year average. Pear production
is forecast at 373,000 bushels, or a little more than average. Grape production at 2,000
tons is about one-half of an average crop.
On July 1, on farms of Crop Reporters, there were 78.5 hens and pullets of laying age
per farm which is the smallest since records were started in 1925. Production at 48.0
e?gs per one hundred birds is the highest since records were started. The number of
young chickens per farm is about average.
Milk production per cow milked on Reporters' farms was 22.7 pounds compared with
21.5 pounds last year. 77.5 percent of all milk cows in the herd were being milked compared with 76.7 percent a year ago.
The supply of farm labor was reported to be 93 percent of normal, compared with 81
last year. The demand for farm labor was reported to be 87 percent of normal compared
ffith last year at 97. Farm wages were reported to be about the same as a year ago.
UNITED STATES
The 1938 crops have made a remarkably good start. The favorable prospects are now
>hared by nearly all States. With the exception of wheat and several fruits, and the
possible exception of cotton, sorghums and other late crops not yet estimated, practically
ail important crops now show prospects for yield per acre higher than their averages
prior to recent droughts. Some important crops also show prospects for yields per acre
above the generally excellent yields secured last season. With crop losses as light as now
estimated, the total acreage of crops finally harvested may equal the 10-year average,
notwithstanding a quite general reduction in plantings this year.
THE PIG CROP REPORT AS OF JUNE 1, 1938
, ihe 1938 spring pig crop in Indiana is estimated to be 2,977,000 pigs or 11 percent
larger than last year and 19 percent larger than two years ago. The number of sows to
Wow this fall is forecast to be 445,000 or 7 percent above last year and two years ago.
WNER M. JUSTIN, ROBERT E. STRASZHEIM,
Agricultural Statistician. Assoc. Agricultural Statistician.