in-crop-weather

State
Indiana Crop Weather

Week Ending Date  
July 13, 2003

Issue
IN-CW2803

Agricultural Summary 

Showers and thunderstorms continued to pop up in many areas of the 
state during the week, according to the Indiana Agricultural 
Statistics Service. The severe flooding and ponding have caused 
serious damage to major crops in many fields around the state. Several
inches of rain fell again last week in some areas. The total impact 
of the water damage to corn, soybeans and wheat is undetermined at
this point in time. Early assessment by reporters indicate the heaviest
damage is in the northwest and central regions of the state. Impact of
the weather damage will be reflected in the August crop report. Severe
damage and total loss of crops is expected in many river bottom fields.
By the weekend, water was subsiding in some fields, but major flooding
still exists along river bottom fields. 

Field Crops Report 

There were 2.2 days suitable for fieldwork. Thirteen percent of the
corn acreage has silked compared with 8 percent last year and 33 
percent for the 5-year average. Growth and development of corn plants 
have advanced rapidly with many fields recently starting to enter the
pollination stage. Corn condition is rated 52 percent good to excellent
compared with 48 percent last year at this time. 

Virtually all of the soybean acreage has emerged except for double crop
soybean fields. Twenty-three percent of the soybean acreage is blooming
compared with 20 percent last year and 42 percent for the average. One
percent of the soybean acreage is setting pods compared with 3 percent
last year and 8 percent for the average. Soybean condition is rated 51
percent good to excellent compared with 51 percent last year at this
time. 

Winter wheat harvest is 61 percent complete compared with 87 percent
last year and 91 percent for the average. By area, 10 percent of the
wheat acreage is harvested in the north, 54 percent in the central
region and 97 percent in the south. 

Major activities during the week were spraying for weeds and insects,
cleaning up from the water damage, repairing equipment, certifying crop
acreage, moving grain to market, mowing and baling hay and taking care
of livestock.

 
Livestock, Pasture and Range Report 

Pasture condition is rated 11 percent excellent, 55 percent good, 26
percent fair, 6 percent poor and 2 percent very poor. Second cutting of
alfalfa hay is 32 percent complete compared with 48 percent last year
and 63 percent for average. Livestock continued to be under some stress
from the standing water and flooding problems. 
   
                               
                    Crop Progress Table
--------------------------------------------------------
                          : This : Last : Last : 5-Year
     Crop                 : Week : Week : Year :  Avg
--------------------------------------------------------
                                     Percent
Corn Silked                  13      4      8     33
Soybeans Blooming            23      7     20     42
Soybeans Setting Pods         1     NA      3      8
Winter Wheat Harvested       61     55     87     91
Alfalfa Second Cutting       32     23     48     63

       
                    Crop Condition Table
--------------------------------------------------------
                   : Very :      :      :      : Excel-
     Crop          : Poor : Poor : Fair : Good : lent
--------------------------------------------------------
                                  Percent
Corn                   5     12     31     43      9
Soybean                5     12     32     43      8
Pasture                2      6     26     55     11

   Soil Moisture & Days Suitable For Fieldwork Table
-------------------------------------------------------
                   : This  : Last  :  Last
                   : Week  : Week  :  Year
-------------------------------------------------------
                           Percent
Topsoil 
  Very Short           0       4      18
  Short                5      20      41
  Adequate            42      47      40
  Surplus             53      29       1
Subsoil
  Very Short           2       4      11
  Short                6      16      36
  Adequate            56      61      51
  Surplus             36      19       2
Days Suitable        2.2     5.6     6.1

Contact information
--Greg Preston, State Statistician
--Bud Bever, Agricultural Statistician
  E-Mail Address: nass-in@nass.usda.gov
  http://www.nass.usda.gov/in/index.htm                     

Other Agricultural Comments And News

RAIN, HAIL, WIND: WHAT NEXT?

Frequent and heavy rainfall in recent days has caused record and
near-record flooding of rivers, creeks, and streams throughout
much of Indiana. Large ponded areas exist in fields distant from
floodwaters.  The rains have often been accompanied by damaging
winds and hail that have caused additional damage to the state's
corn, soybean, and wheat crops. The consequences to grain yield
and quality from the damage caused by the flooding/ponding and
wind are difficult to pinpoint with much accuracy because little
research exists that addresses these chance-occurring yield-limiting
factors.  Risks and expectations, however, can be outlined.

*  Rules of thumb suggest that corn and soybean crops
inundated by standing water may only survive a few days
with the 90-degree temperatures that have been prevalent
during this epic rainfall episode. Oxygen deprivation
quickly results in significant deterioration and death of
above-and below-ground plant tissue.

*  Further physical crop damage (soil erosion, washing away
of plants, lodging of plants, and plant tissue damage)
occurs from the force of the flowing water on land adjacent
to flooded creeks and rivers as well as from any debris
caught up in the floodwaters.

*  Severe lodging of wheat yet unharvested will result in yield
loss due to mechanical harvesting difficulties and/or
reduction in grain quality due to weathering and sprouting
of grain (Lipps et al. 2003). The quality of wheat straw
harvested from these ponded areas will also be lower.

*  Deposits of sediment and crop residues often remain on
crop plants once the water recedes that either outright
smother any surviving plants or greatly reduce their ability
to capture sunlight and photosynthesize carbohydrates.

*  Mud and crud that cakes the leaves and stalks encourage
subsequent development of fungal and bacterial diseases in
damaged plant tissue. When Deer Creek (Carroll County)
flooded severely in August of 1998, adjacent fields of corn
that were in the initial stages of pollination subsequently
developed severe bacterial ear rots following inundation by
flood waters at or above the ear level of the plants (Nielsen
& Ruhl, 1998).

*  Crops that survive less severe bouts of ponding and
saturated soils will nonetheless suffer significant damage to
their root systems. The immediate effects will be stunting
of plant development. In the longer term, root systems
compromised by ponding and saturated soils now will be
less able to sustain the crops IF drought conditions would
develop later in the growing season.

*  For corn, damage to its root system now will predispose the
crop to the development of root and stalk rots later by
virtue of the photosynthetic stress imposed by the limited
root system during the important grain filling period
following pollination. Monitor affected fields later in
August for the possible development of stalk rots and
modify harvest-timing strategies accordingly.

*  Loss of soil nitrate nitrogen in saturated soils due to
denitrification or leaching processes is undoubtedly
occurring at significant rates. Estimates of nitrate-N loss
due to waterlogged soil conditions are at least five percent
per day given the current warm soil temperatures (Hoeft,
2002). Many cornfields in the affected area are still in their
rapid growth phase prior to pollination when nitrogen
uptake rates are at their peak. Consequently, some of these
fields currently enduring soggy soil conditions may
ultimately develop nitrogen deficiency symptoms without
additional fertilizer applications. Where estimated nitrogen
loss is significant (60 lbs or greater) in fields not yet
tasseling and yield potential is still reasonable, corn may
respond to an additional 50 - 80 lbs of applied fertilizer N
up to or shortly after tasseling (Hoeft, 2001).

*  Assessing the effects of hail damage to corn can be
challenging. Important factors include the amount of
defoliation and stalk bruising caused by the hail stones
relative to the growth stage of the crop. While hail damage
can result in severe yield losses in corn, most of the time
the human eye perceives greater damage than truly exists.
Browse the two references listed below (Nielsen, 2001;
Vorst, 1993) on hail damage assessment for more
information.

*  Wind damage to corn has occurred either as stalk breakage
(aka "green snap") or root lodging (plants uprooted and
laying nearly flat to the ground). The yield effect of "green
snap" damage depends on the percentage of field affected
and whether the stalk breakage occurs above or below the
ear, but is usually serious regardless. Obviously, stalk
breakage below the ear results in zero yield for that plant.
Stalk breakage above the ear results in significant yield loss
due to the loss of upper canopy photosynthesis capacity for
that plant. Root lodged corn will recover or straighten up to
varying degrees depending on the growth stage of the crop.
Generally, younger corn has a greater ability to straighten
up with minimal "goose-necking" than older corn. Yield
effects of root lodging depend on whether soil moisture
remains adequate for root regeneration, the severity of root
damage due to the uprooting nature of root lodging, and the
degree of "goose-necking" that develops and its effect on
the harvestability of the crop.

R.L. (Bob) Nielsen
Agronomy Department
Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN
Email: rnielsen@purdue.edu

RELATED REFERENCES

Hoeft, Robert. 2001. Nitrogen Loss Update. Univ. of Illinois
Pest & Crop Bulletin (6/22/01). Online at http://www.ag.uiuc.
edu/cespubs/ pest/articles/200113g.html [URL verified 7/9/03].

Hoeft, Robert. 2002. Predicting/Measuring Nitrogen Loss. Univ.
of Illinois Pest & Crop Bulletin (5/17/02). Online at
http://www.ag.uiuc.edu/cespubs/pest/articles/200208n.html
[URL verified 7/9/03].

Lipps, Pat, Jim Beuerlein, and Dennis Mills. 2003. Potential
Wheat Harvest Problems Caused by Persistent Rain. Ohio
State Univ. C.O.R.N. (7/7-13/03). Online at http://corn.osu.
edu/archive/2003/jul/03-21.html [URL verified 7/9/03].

Nielsen, Bob. 2001.  Hail Damage in Corn: Moving Beyond
Grief to Damage Assessment. Purdue Univ. Online at
http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/corn/news/articles.01/Hail_Da
mage-0606.html [URL verified 7/9/03].

Nielsen, Bob and Gail Ruhl. 1998. Bacterial Ear Rot in Flooded
Corn. Purdue Univ. Online at http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/
corn/news/articles.98/p&c9828.html [URL verified 7/9/03].

Thomison, Peter. 2001. Weather Conditions Favorable for "Green
Snap". Ohio State Univ. C.O.R.N. (6/18024/01). Online at
http://corn.osu.edu/archive/2001/jun/01-18.html#linkc [URL
verified 7/9/03].

Vorst, Jim. 1993. Assessing Hail Damage to Corn. Purdue Univ.
Extension Publication NCH-1. Online at http://www.agcom.purdue.
edu/AgCom/Pubs/NCH/NCH-1.html [URL verified 7/9/03].
    
                 
                    Weather Information Table
     
               Week Ending Sunday July 13, 2003
---------------------------------------------------------------
                | Past Week Weather Summary Data   
                |---------------------------------
 Station        |      Air      |           | Avg  
                |  Temperature  |  Precip.  |4 in.  
                |---------------|-----------|Soil 
                |Hi |Lo |Avg|DFN|Total |Days|Temp 
------------------------------------------------------------- 
Northwest (1)   |                                
Chalmers_5W     |92  55   73  -1   3.96    5   73
Valparaiso_AP_I |88  55   72  -2   1.71    5     
Wanatah         |88  51   71  -2   2.11    6   76
Wheatfield      |89  52   72  -1   3.58    5     
Winamac         |88  54   72  -2   4.07    6   74
North Central(2)|                                
Plymouth        |87  52   71  -3   4.22    6     
South_Bend      |87  53   71  -3   1.91    4     
Young_America   |89  55   73  -2   4.27    6     
Northeast (3)   |                                
Columbia_City   |87  51   72  -1   2.67    4   78
Fort_Wayne      |88  54   72  -3   4.77    5     
West Central (4)|                                
Greencastle     |91  54   74  -2   4.87    4     
Perrysville     |92  55   75  +0   2.51    4   74
Spencer_Ag      |92  57   76  +2   3.97    4     
Terre_Haute_AFB |95  57   77  +2   3.35    3     
W_Lafayette_6NW |91  54   73  -1   3.72    5   75
Central (5)     |                                
Eagle_Creek_AP  |90  60   74  -2   1.53    3     
Greenfield      |91  59   74  -2   3.86    6     
Indianapolis_AP |90  58   74  -2   2.20    4     
Indianapolis_SE |90  57   74  -3   1.26    5     
Tipton_Ag       |89  55   72  -2   3.86    6   79
East Central (6)|                                
Farmland        |90  58   73  +0   5.19    5   74
New_Castle      |88  56   71  -3   3.21    5     
Southwest (7)   |                                
Evansville      |92  62   79  +2   1.48    3     
Freelandville   |92  61   77  +1   3.02    3     
Shoals          |93  59   77  +3   3.43    4     
Stendal         |91  61   77  +1   0.20    1     
Vincennes_5NE   |95  60   78  +2   2.71    4   81
South Central(8)|                                
Leavenworth     |91  61   78  +3   2.49    5     
Oolitic         |91  58   76  +2   3.99    5   76
Tell_City       |93  64   80  +4   1.01    4     
Southeast (9)   |                                
Brookville      |91  59   75  +2   4.40    5     
Milan_5NE       |91  59   75  +2   3.37    6     
Scottsburg      |92  57   77  +2   1.16    5     
------------------------------------------------------------- 

-------------------------------------------------------------                                                            
                |        Accumulation           
                |      April 1, 2003 thru       
 Station        |         July 13, 2003         
                | Precipitation   |GDD Base 50oF 
                |      |     |    |     |
                |Total | DFN |Days|Total| DFN  
-------------------------------------------------------------
Northwest (1)   |
Chalmers_5W     |23.50 +10.64  42  1316  -128
Valparaiso_AP_I |16.13  +2.34  41  1184   -95
Wanatah         |16.64  +3.42  43  1108  -108
Wheatfield      |20.46  +7.43  41  1223   -31
Winamac         |19.69  +6.60  43  1221   -94
North Central(2)|
Plymouth        |15.92  +2.24  40  1155  -216
South_Bend      |13.91  +1.10  41  1207   -55
Young_America   |18.60  +6.06  43  1325   -12
Northeast (3)   | 
Columbia_City   |16.31  +3.41  49  1179   -19
Fort_Wayne      |20.43  +8.55  41  1208  -119
West Central (4)|
Greencastle     |17.95  +3.61  45  1274  -258
Perrysville     |14.57  +0.53  39  1454   +24
Spencer_Ag      |16.80  +1.95  45  1422    -5
Terre_Haute_AFB |13.10  -0.86  34  1544   +14
W_Lafayette_6NW |18.23  +5.31  48  1371   +30
Central (5)     |
Eagle_Creek_AP  |16.21  +3.19  37  1459   -54
Greenfield      |20.52  +6.51  47  1371   -66
Indianapolis_AP |17.58  +4.56  40  1482   -31
Indianapolis_SE |15.14  +1.78  40  1382  -108
Tipton_Ag       |22.98 +10.06  41  1224   -70
East Central (6)|
Farmland        |19.33  +6.23  40  1299   +46
New_Castle      |15.00  +0.75  39  1118  -165
Southwest (7)   |
Evansville      |16.31  +2.37  43  1721   -82
Freelandville   |18.83  +4.44  39  1586    -4
Shoals          |19.86  +4.42  42  1546   +24
Stendal         |16.48  +0.91  34  1644   -37
Vincennes_5NE   |18.65  +4.26  47  1622   +32
South Central(8)|
Leavenworth     |16.79  +1.18  49  1555   +32
Oolitic         |19.04  +4.40  47  1463   +20
Tell_City       |17.09  +1.44  35  1837  +140
Southeast (9)   |
Brookville      |18.64  +4.70  45  1467  +118
Milan_5NE       |19.94  +6.00  58  1422   +73
Scottsburg      |17.60  +3.24  46  1490   -88
------------------------------------------------------------- 
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 2003:  AWIS, 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 or call toll free at 1-888-798-9955.

The INDIANA CROP WEATHER REPORT (USPS 675-770), (ISSN 0442-817X) is
issued weekly April through November by the Indiana Agricultural 
Statistics Service, 1435 Win Hentschel Blvd, Suite B105, 
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 Indiana Agricultural
Statistics Service, 1435 Win Hentschel Blvd, Suite B105,  
West Lafayette IN  47906-4145.                           

Source: Indiana Agricultural Statistics Service