No. 419
July 1, 1960
INDIANA CROPS AND LIVESTOCK
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE
AGRICULTURAL ESTIMATES DIVISION
COOPERATING WITH
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA
INDIANA
Indiana's all time largest corn production was in prospect July 1 together with record
high average yields of wheat, oats, and rye and record tying yields of corn and barley.
This year's acreages of small grains for harvest are below average while the acreages
of corn and soybeans are well above. Early spring field work was delayed by severe
weather and snow in March. Spring planting was later than usual this year and early
planted crops made slow growth because of cool temperatures. Late June floods caused
some acreage losses but the total lost is relatively small compared with 1957 and 1958.
Corn production is forecast at a record 345,177,000 bushels and 3 percent more than
last year. The acreage for harvest at 5,479,000 acres is 1 percent above last year and is
largest for the state since 1917. An average yield of 63.0 bushels per acre, and same as
the previous record yield in 1958, is expected based on growing conditions July 1. A
smaller share of the crop has been laid by than last year at this time, but the crop
generally has good color and shows the wide spread use of commercial fertilizer. Corn
stocks on farms July 1 were estimated at 88,002,000 bushels as compared with 75,693,000
bushels a year ago and the 10-year (1949-58) average of 79,958,000 bushels.
Wheat production is expected to total 42,240,000 bushels or 30 percent more than in
1959. The acreage for harvest at 1,280,000 acres is 2 percent larger than last year and
9 percent less than average. Yields are expected to average 33.0 bushels per acre and the
highest of record as compared with 26.0 bushels for 1959 and 25.9 bushels for the 10-year
average. This year's wheat was aided by plentiful moisture, freedom from major diseases,
and favorable temperatures. Stocks of old wheat on farms July 1 are estimated at
163,000 bushels as compared with 205,000 a year earlier and the 10-year average of
541,000 bushels.
This year's oat crop is expected to total 41,028,000 bushels or 28 percent more than
last year but 17 percent below average. This year's acreage for harvest is estimated at
789,000 acres and is the smallest in over 70 years. Yields are expected to average a record 52.0 bushels per acre as compared with 37.5 bushels last year and 40.6 bushels during
the 10 years (1949-58). Winter oats in southern Indiana came through the winter much
better than the past 2 years. All oats generally enjoyed favorable weather for grain
development. Stocks of oats on farms totaled 4,183,000 bushels as compared with
"214,000 bushels a year earlier and the 10-year average of 6,416,000 bushels.
This year's acreage of soybeans for all purposes is estimated at 2,457,000 acres or
5 percent more than last year and includes 2,421,000 acres for beans, a record high for
the state. No forecast of production will be made until August 1. Stocks of old soybeans
on farms are estimated at 4,809,000 bushels as compared with 3,369,000 bushels a year
ago. The 10-year average stocks is 1,874,000 bushels.
Hay production is expected to total 2,193,000 tons. This is 1 percent smaller than last
year and 17 percent below average. Alfalfa and Alfalfa mixtures comprise 52 percent of
total production, compared with 49 percent last year. Frequent showers during June and
early July have made hay curing difficult. Pasture conditions July 1 average 96 percent
of normal as compared with 90 a year earlier.
Commercial apple production is expected to total 1,600,000 bushels or 5 percent more
than last year and 9 percent above average. Peach production is expected to total 380,000
bushels or 4 percent above last year and 3 percent above average.
June egg production of 197 million eggs was same as last year. The number of June
ayers was 10,350,000 or 3 percent fewer than last year while the rate of lay at 1,908
e?gs per 100 layers was 3 percent heavier.
Milk production in June totaled 331 million pounds as compared with 348 million
founds last month and 342 million pounds in June 1959. Production per cow was slightly
low last year's relatively high level.
UNITED STATES
, The 1960 season bids for recognition as one of the nation's highest production years
ln spite of a slow and backward planting season. Winter wheat production was boosted