in-crop-weather
State
Indiana Crop Weather
Week Ending Date  
May 18, 2008
IN-CW051908
                        Agricultural Summary
Heavy rainfall during the week halted field work in many areas of the
state, according to the Indiana Field Office of USDAs National
Agricultural Statistics Service. Planting of corn is running about 7
days behind last year and 8 days behind the 5-year average pace. 
Soybean planting is about 9 days behind last year and 11 days behind
the 5-year average. Standing water may result in the need to replant
some corn and soybean acreage. Emergence and growth of the major 
field crops continues to be slow due to the cool, wet conditions. 
                        Field Crops Report
There was 1.0 day suitable for field work. Sixty-eight percent of the
intended corn acreage has been planted compared with 89 percent last
year and 82 percent for the 5-year average. By area, 75 percent has 
been planted in the north, 78 percent in the central region, and 37
percent in the south. Thirty-five percent of the corn acreage has now 
emerged compared with 57 percent for both last year and the 5-year
average. Twenty-three percent of the intended soybean acreage has 
been planted compared with 63 percent last year and 51 percent for 
the 5-year average. 
Thirty-six percent of the winter wheat is headed compared with 51
percent last year and 59 percent for the 5-year average. Winter wheat
condition is rated 63 percent good to excellent compared to 39 percent
last year at this time. Some wind and water damage is being reported 
in a few southern counties. 
Major activities during the week included: spraying fungicides on 
wheat, equipment maintenance, fertilizer applications, spraying 
herbicides, hauling grain to market, hauling manure, and taking care
of livestock. 
                       
                   Livestock, Pasture and Range Report
Pasture condition is rated 19% excellent, 54% good, 21% fair, 5% poor
and 1% very poor. Pasture condition continues to improve with plenty 
of precipitation. Livestock remain in mostly good condition. 
                    Crop Progress Table
-------------------------------------------------------
                       : This : Last : Last : 5-Year
     Crop              : Week : Week : Year :  Avg
-------------------------------------------------------
                             Percent
Corn Planted              68     61     89     82
Corn Emerged              35     19     57     57
Soybeans Planted          23     19     63     51
Winter Wheat Headed       36     13     51     59
                    Crop Condition Table
-----------------------------------------------------------
                    : Very :      :      :      : Excel-
     Crop           : Poor : Poor : Fair : Good :  lent
----------------------------------------------------------- 
                             Percent                             
Pasture                 3      7     28     46     16
Winter Wheat            1      5     21     54     19
        Soil Moisture & Days Suitable
             for Fieldwork Table
----------------------------------------
               : This  : Last  : Last :
               : Week  : Week  : Year :
----------------------------------------
                      Percent
Topsoil
  Very Short       0      0      3
  Short            0      0     18
  Adequate        37     45     75
  Surplus         63     55      4
Subsoil
  Very Short       0      0      1
  Short            0      1      8
  Adequate        49     59     86 
  Surplus         51     40      5
Days Suitable    1.0    3.5    5.7
Contact Information
--Greg Preston, Director
--Andy Higgins, Agricultural Statistician
E-Mail Address: nass-in@nass.usda.gov
http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Indiana
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Other Agricultural Comments And News
          LATE PLANTING/REPLANTING & RELATIVE HYBRID MATURITY
* Planting delays continue.
* Consider switching to earlier maturity hybrids by early June.
* Check seed availability with seed dealers now.
Published 12 May
---------------------
2008 Frequent rains of recent weeks delayed the start of corn 
planting throughout Indiana. Rains late last week and over the
weekend will further delay the completion of planting, especially 
in the southern third of the state. Rainfall over the 7-day period
ending 8 am EDST May 12 ranged from 2 to 4 inches throughout central,
eastcentral, and southern Indiana (Fig. 1). Rainfall amounts 
elsewhere in the state ranged from one-half to 2 inches. 
As of May 11, the Indiana office of USDA's National Ag. Statistics
Service estimated that only 61 percent of the state's corn crop was
planted compared to the most recent 5-year average of 72 percent 
(USDA-NASS, 2008). The good news is that this year's planting pace is
not the slowest in recent memory. The two slowest planting years in 
the past five were 2002 and 2003 (Fig. 2). In contrast, the fastest
planting year in the past five was 2004. The 2008 pace is between the
slowest and fastest of the past five years and is interestingly not
that much slower than that of last year. 
The planting delays are greatest in the southern third of Indiana, 
where USDA-NASS estimates only 34 percent completion as of May 11 in
contrast with 61 and 74 percent completion in the northern and central
areas of the state (USDA-NASS, 2008). With more rain in the current
forecast for the coming week, many of those planters will likely not 
return to the fields before next week. Consequently, much of the
remaining 39% of the state's corn crop will be planted later than 
desired. Additionally, a few early-planted fields may require 
replanting if plant populations are reduced due to soggy soils
and/or disease.
Some of the locals who frequent the Chat'n Chew Caf are beginning 
to question whether they should consider replacing their remaining
full-season corn hybrids with shorter-season versions. They worry 
that full-season hybrids planted from here on out may not mature 
safely before the first killing fall frost. After all, hybrid
maturity ratings are closely associated with the accumulation of
Growing Degree Days (GDDs) after planting (Fig. 3) and there are 
only so many GDDs available in a given growing season prior to 
killing fall frosts. 
Fortunately, we know from previous research (Nielsen et al., 2002)
that corn hybrids adjust their GDD needs downward as planting is 
delayed. This means that late-planted hybrids mature in fewer than 
expected GDDs from planting. The number of GDDs required from 
planting to physiological maturity in corn decreases nearly 7 GDDs
per day of delayed planting after May 1. For example, a hybrid 
planted June 1 will mature approximately 210 GDDs sooner than it 
would if planted May 1 (30 days times 7 GDDs per day of delayed
planting). 
The bottom line from this research is that a given hybrid maturity 
can be planted later than we once thought possible and still mature
safely before a killing fall frost. Nevertheless, at some point on
the calendar, growers eventually need to consider switching to earlier
maturity hybrids to minimize the risk of frost damage in the fall.
The tables that follow (at URL:http://www.kingcorn.org/news/articles.
08/DelayedPlt_ Hybrids.html) summarize the delayed planting effect on
hybrid GDD requirements and present the results in terms of "safe" 
hybrid maturities for a range of delayed planting dates (see Nielsen & 
Thomison, 2003, for more information). Both tables assume "normal" GDD
accumulations for the remainder of the growing season and a fall frost
date that is based on a 50% risk of frost occurring by a given date 
for individual crop reporting districts around the state (Indiana State
Climate Office, http://iclimate.org). 
Table 1 targets physiological maturity occurring the same week that a 
killing frost is expected to occur. Table 2 targets physiological
maturity occurring the week before a killing frost is expected to 
occur. The "safe" hybrid maturities listed in Table 2, therefore, are
a bit less risky relative to maturation and killing fall frosts. 
The hybrid maturities listed in the tables are described in terms of 
"CRM" or comparative relative maturity ratings as defined by Pioneer 
Hi-Bred (2008). Pioneer publishes relative maturity data for hybrids
in terms of both CRM ratings and GDDs from planting to physiological 
maturity. Such data can be used to define the relationship between 
CRM ratings and GDD requirements (Fig. 3). That relationship coupled
with our previous research on the effects of delayed planting on GDD
requirements allow me to estimate "safe" hybrid maturities for a range
of planting dates (Tables 1 & 2).
DISCLAIMER: I am NOT suggesting that Pioneer hybrid maturity 
definitions are the industry standard. Nor am I promoting Pioneer 
hybrids. I work with Pioneer's hybrid maturity data because a) many
farmers and consultants can relate to Pioneer hybrid maturity ratings
and b) I cannot easily find similar on-line datasets for the complete
hybrid lineup for any other major seed corn supplier. 
BOTTOM LINE: The tables indicate that growers in the central and 
westcentral Indiana plus the entire southern third of Indiana could 
continue to plant full-season hybrid maturities through at least the
end of May. That's good news for southern Indiana where planting 
delays are the greatest. Growers in the northern third of the state
and eastcentral Indiana who routinely "push the limits" of adapted 
hybrid maturity may want to consider switching to something less than
110 day hybrids before the end of May. In addition to managing the 
risk of not maturing prior to a killing fall frost, the eventual 
agronomic decision to switch to earlier maturity hybrids with delayed
planting should result in drier grain at harvest (approximately
one-half percentage point of grain moisture difference per "day"
difference in hybrid relative maturity) and thus lower grain drying
costs and less risk of low test weight grain. At a minimum, growers
facing further significant delays in planting corn may want to begin
talking with their seed dealers about the possible availability of
earlier maturity hybrids.
RELATED REFERENCES
National Weather Service. 2008. Precipitation Analysis. [On-line]. 
Available at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/rfcshare/precip_analysis
_new.php. [URL accessed 5/11/08].
Nielsen, R.L. (Bob). 2008a. Corn Planting Date is Important, 
But... Corny News Network, Purdue Univ. [On-line]. Available at
http://www.kingcorn.org/news/2008/PltDate-0412.html. [URL accessed
5/11/08]. 
Nielsen, R.L. (Bob). 2008b. Heat Unit Concepts Related to Corn
Development. Corny News Network, Purdue Univ. [On-line]. Available at
http://www.kingcorn.org/news/timeless/HeatUnits. html. [URL accessed
5/11/08]. 
Nielsen, R.L. (Bob) and Peter Thomison. 2003. Delayed Planting & 
Hybrid Maturity Decisions. Purdue Univ. Cooperative Extension 
Publication AY-312-W. [On-line]. Available at http://www.agry.purdue.
edu/ext/pubs/AY-312-W.pdf [URL accessed 5/11/08].
Nielsen, Robert L., Peter R. Thomison, Gregory A. Brown, Anthony L.
Halter, Jason Wells, and Kirby L. Wuethrich. 2002. Delayed Planting
Effects on Flowering and Grain Maturation of Dent Corn. Agron. J.
94:549-558. 
Pioneer Hi-Bred. 2008. Pioneer Brand Products. [On-line]. Available 
at https://www.pioneer.com/growingpoint/product_info/catalog/
PrdSelection.jsp [URL accessed 5/11/08] [NOTE: The Pioneer 
GrowingPoint Web site requires a login; either as a current Pioneer
customer or as a guest. After you've completed the Web site 
registration process you will be routed to the "Search Products &
Traits" Web page. From here, select "Corn grain" from the "Product
Line" dropdown menu and click "Enter".] 
USDA-NASS. 2008. Indiana Crop & Weather Report (12 May 2008). Indiana 
office of USDA's National Ag. Statistics Service. [On-line]. Available
at http://www.nass.usda.gov/ Statistics_by_State/Indiana/Publications/
Crop_Progress_&_Condition/2008/wc051208.pdf [URL accessed 5/12/08].
In order to view the various graphics and tables mentioned in the 
article, go to URL: http://www.kingcorn.org/news/articles.08/
DelayedPlt_Hybrids.html
R.L. (Bob) Nielsen, Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West
Lafayette, IN 47907-2054.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The INDIANA CROP & WEATHER REPORT (USPS 675-770), (ISSN 0442-817X) is
issued weekly April through November by the USDA, NASS, Indiana Field
Office, 1435 Win Hentschel Blvd, Suite 110, West Lafayette IN 
47906-4145. Second Class postage paid at Lafayette IN. For 
information on subscribing, send request to above address. POSTMASTER:
Send address change to the USDA, NASS, Indiana Field Office, 1435 Win
Hentschel Blvd, Suite 110, West Lafayette IN 47906-4145. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Weather Information Table
         Week ending Sunday May 18, 2008 
-----------------------------------------------------
                   | Past Week Weather Summary Data   
                   |---------------------------------
 Station           |      Air      |            | Avg  
                   |  Temperature  |  Precip.   |4 in.  
                   |---------------|------------|Soil 
                   |Hi |Lo |Avg|DFN| Total|Days |Temp 
----------------------------------------------------- 
Northwest (1)                                    
Chalmers_5W      76  40  54  -9   1.45     5     
Francesville     74  37  54  -8   0.72     5     
Valparaiso_AP_I  73  39  54  -6   0.63     4     
Wanatah          73  36  53  -7   1.19     4   57
Winamac          73  39  53  -8   1.11     5   52
North Central(2)                                 
Plymouth         72  39  52 -10   1.15     4     
South_Bend       72  36  53  -7   1.54     5     
Young_America    74  42  55  -7   1.65     4     
Northeast (3)                                    
Columbia_City    70  41  54  -6   1.84     6   53
Fort_Wayne       70  40  55  -6   1.61     5     
West Central(4)                                  
Greencastle      77  42  55  -9   1.47     4     
Perrysville      79  41  57  -6   1.27     5   61
Spencer_Ag       75  42  55  -7   2.90     5     
Terre_Haute_AFB  76  43  57  -7   1.56     4     
W_Lafayette_6NW  75  40  55  -7   2.02     5   54
Central (5)                                      
Eagle_Creek_AP   75  44  56  -7   1.54     4     
Greenfield       74  43  55  -8   1.40     5     
Indianapolis_AP  76  44  57  -7   1.45     4     
Indianapolis_SE  74  43  55  -9   1.38     4     
Tipton_Ag        74  42  54  -7   2.35     5   57
East Central(6)                                  
Farmland         73  41  54  -7   1.49     5   56
New_Castle       73  43  54  -6   1.13     5     
Southwest (7)                                    
Evansville       79  45  60  -7   1.00     4     
Freelandville    76  45  57  -7   2.85     4     
Shoals_8S        78  40  56  -8   2.49     4     
Stendal          78  42  58  -7   1.76     5     
Vincennes_5NE    79  44  58  -6   2.58     6   57
South Central(8)                                 
Leavenworth      77  44  58  -6   1.87     5     
Oolitic          74  39  55  -8   2.87     5   57
Tell_City        78  40  59  -7   1.74     4     
Southeast (9)                                    
Brookville       74  41  57  -5   1.57     5     
Greensburg       73  45  57  -6   2.15     4     
Scottsburg       76  43  57  -7   1.99     5     
-----------------------------------------------------
       Weather Information Table (Continued)
        Week ending Sunday May 18, 2008  
------------------------------------------------
                        Accumulation           
                    --------------------------------
                         April 1, 2008 thru       
 Station                   May 18, 2008     
                    --------------------------------
                     Precipitation   |GDD Base 50oF
                    --------------------------------
                          |     |    |     |
                    Total | DFN |Days|Total|  DFN   
-------------------------------------------------
Northwest (1)   | 
Chalmers_5W     |  4.93  -1.04  20   222   -92
Francesville    |  4.69  -1.00  20   232   -36
Valparaiso_AP_I |  3.24  -2.94  16   258    +8
Wanatah         |  5.37  -0.54  21   210    -2
Winamac         |  5.40  -0.29  20   233   -35
North Central(2)| 
Plymouth        |  5.98  -0.08  20   230   -54
South_Bend      |  5.34  -0.30  21   279   +46
Young_America   |  8.13  +2.49  20   252   -10
Northeast (3)   |
Columbia_City   |  6.01  +0.40  23   232   +19
Fort_Wayne      |  5.10  -0.26  22   281   +34
West Central(4) |
Greencastle     |  8.73  +2.21  19   234  -115
Perrysville     |  6.01  -0.21  20   288   -14
Spencer_Ag      |  8.92  +2.07  19   259   -47
Terre_Haute_AFB |  6.08  -0.50  15   322   -25
W_Lafayette_6NW |  6.77  +0.72  24   263    -5
Central (5)     | 
Eagle_Creek_AP  |  7.23  +1.19  21   345    +9
Greenfield      |  7.40  +0.78  25   265   -34
Indianapolis_AP |  6.08  +0.04  20   367   +31
Indianapolis_SE |  5.53  -0.91  21   270   -48
Tipton_Ag       |  7.43  +1.27  24   240    +3
East Central(6) |   
Farmland        |  6.65  +0.91  23   230    +2
New_Castle      |  6.35  -0.34  24   242    +7
Southwest (7)   |
Evansville      |  9.44  +2.58  19   437   -29
Freelandville   | 11.52  +4.65  20   332   -38
Shoals_8S       | 12.86  +5.64  20   297   -62
Stendal         | 12.61  +5.12  23   403   -10
Vincennes_5NE   | 11.25  +4.38  19   373    +3
South Central(8)|
Leavenworth     | 11.33  +3.90  29   393   +27
Oolitic         | 12.14  +5.31  24   279   -44
Tell_City       | 11.72  +4.06  22   431    +3
Southeast (9)   |
Brookville      |  8.05  +1.43  25   315   +41
Greensburg      |  7.80  +0.87  23   334   +23
Scottsburg      |  8.71  +1.87  23   383    +9
------------------------------------------------------------------
DFN = Departure From Normal (Using 1961-90 Normals Period).
GDD = Growing Degree Days.
Precipitation (Rainfall or melted snow/ice) in inches.
Precipitation Days = Days with precip of .01 inch or more.
Air Temperatures in Degrees Fahrenheit.
Copyright 2008:  Agricultural Weather Information Service, Inc.
                 All rights reserved.
       The above weather information is provided by AWIS, Inc.
For detailed ag weather forecasts and data visit the AWIS home page
                        at: www.awis.com