in-crop-weather

State
Indiana Crop Weather

Week Ending Date  
May 13, 2007

Issue
IN-CW192007

                        Agricultural Summary

Farmers made tremendous progress planting both corn and soybeans as 
most of the state received very little precipitation during the week,
according to the Indiana Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural
Statistics Service. Topsoil is getting dry in some areas, and farmers
are hoping for moisture to help with germination and emergence of corn
and soybeans. Planting progress for both corn and soybeans moved ahead
of both last year and the 5-year average pace. 

                                   
                         Field Crops Report 

There were 5.9 days suitable for field work. Seventy-eight percent of
the intended corn acreage has been planted compared with 71 percent 
last year and 63 percent for the 5-year average. By area, 80 percent 
has been planted in the north, 84 percent the central region, and 63
percent in the south. Thirty-four percent of the corn acreage has 
emerged compared with 35 percent last year and 36 percent for the 
5-year average. Thirty-nine percent of the intended soybean acreage
has been planted compared with 30 percent last year and 33 percent 
for the 5-year average. 

Ninety-four percent of the winter wheat acreage is jointed compared 
with 95 percent for last year and 97 percent for the 5-year average. 
Winter wheat condition is rated 37 percent good to excellent compared
to 83 percent last year at this time. 

Major activities during the week included: repairing equipment, soil
preparation, spraying herbicides, applying fertilizer, hauling manure
and taking care of livestock.
                                   

                    Livestock, Pasture and Range Report 

Pasture condition is rated 9% excellent, 51% good, 35% fair, 5% poor,
and 0% very poor. Pastures and hay crops have mostly recovered from 
the frost damage that occurred in April. Livestock remain in mostly
good condition. 

                           
                    Crop Progress Table
-------------------------------------------------------
                       : This : Last : Last : 5-Year
     Crop              : Week : Week : Year :  Avg
-------------------------------------------------------
                             Percent
Corn Planted              78     42     71     63
Corn Emerged              34      8     35     36
Soybeans Planted          39     10     30     33
Soybeans Emerged           5     NA      5      9
Winter Wheat Jointed      94     79     95     97
Winter Wheat Headed       31     10     43     42

                    Crop Condition Table
-----------------------------------------------------------
                    : Very :      :      :      : Excel-
     Crop           : Poor : Poor : Fair : Good :  lent
----------------------------------------------------------- 
                             Percent
Pasture                 0      5     35     51      9
Winter Wheat 2007       7     17     39     34      3
Winter Wheat 2006       0      2     15     60     23

        Soil Moisture & Days Suitable
             for Fieldwork Table
----------------------------------------
               : This  : Last  : Last :
               : Week  : Week  : Year :
----------------------------------------
                      Percent
Topsoil
  Very Short        1      0      0
  Short            12      1      0
  Adequate         76     72     41
  Surplus          11     27     59
Subsoil
  Very Short        0      0      0
  Short             3      0      2
  Adequate         84     79     64
  Surplus          13     21     34
Days Suitable     5.9    4.2    2.7
                                            
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

     REQUIREMENTS FOR UNIFORM GERMINATION AND EMERGENCE OF CORN 

Rapid, uniform germination and emergence of corn help set the stage 
for maximum grain yield at the end of the season. Without such a 
successful start to the season, the crop is behind the proverbial 
"eight-ball" right from the beginning. The good news is that there 
are only four simple requirements for uniform germination and 
emergence of corn. The bad news is that one or more of the 
requirements are sometimes absent in one field or another. 

ADEQUATE AND UNIFORM SOIL MOISTURE AT THE SEED ZONE.

Adequate soil moisture is most simply defined as not too dry and not
too wet. Most growers know what "adequate" looks and feels like. 
Uneven soil moisture in the seed zone can be caused by variable soil 
characteristics, tillage patterns, unusual weather conditions and 
uneven seeding depth. Uneven soil moisture throughout the seed zone 
is the primary cause of uneven emergence, the results of which can
easily be yield losses of 8 to 10 percent. Remember that uneven 
seedbed soil moisture can be described as "adequate' versus "too wet"
as well as "adequate" versus "too dry." 

USEFUL TIP: When seedbed conditions are dry, make sure that your 
choice of seeding depth ensures uniformly adequate soil moisture for
the germination of the seed. Even though a 1.5 to 2 inch seeding depth
is a good choice for many conditions, don't hesitate to increase 
seeding depth to 2.5 to 3 inches if that is the depth where the 
uniform soil moisture is located. Planting shallower than 1.5 inches
increases the risk of poor or uneven germination during subsequent
drying of surface soils. 

ADEQUATE AND UNIFORM SOIL TEMPERATURE AT THE SEED ZONE.

Corn will germinate and emerge slowly and unevenly when soil 
temperatures are less than 50F. When soils warm to the mid-50's
or warmer, emergence will occur in seven days or less if soil moisture
is adequate. Thermal time from planting to emergence is approximately 
120 growing degree days (GDDs) using the modified growing degree 
formula (Nielsen, 2007b) and air temperatures or about 130 GDDs
if using soil temperatures. 

Uneven soil temperature in the seed zone can be caused by variable 
soil texture, soil color, soil drainage, surface residue cover in 
reduced tillage systems and seeding depth control. Temperature 
variability during germination and emergence is most critical when
average soil temperatures are hovering about the critical 50F 
minimum threshold value. 

USEFUL TIPS: Dark-colored soils will typically warm more quickly than
light-colored soils. If soils dry differently across the field, the
drier areas will typically warm faster than the wet areas. Uneven
residue cover (surface trash) in reduced tillage systems causes
significantly lower soil temperatures under the heavier cover than
under barer spots in the field. Uneven seeding depth exposes deeper
planted seeds to slightly cooler seed zones than seeds placed 
shallower. Consider row-cleaning attachments for the planter to move
aside the surface trash during planting and expose the seedbed to 
sunlight and its warming effects. Consider strip tillage practices 
in the future to better manage surface trash in a reduced tillage 
system.

ADEQUATE AND UNIFORM SEED-TO-SOIL CONTACT.

In order for the kernel to absorb moisture quickly and uniformly, 
soil must be firmed completely around the kernel. Seed-to-trash 
contact results from "hair-pinning" of surface trash into the seed
furrow during no-till planting when soil and/or trash are too wet
for adequate coulter cutting action. Seed-to-clod contact results 
from planting into cloddy fields created by working soil too wet. 
Seed-to-rock contact is, needless to say, not good for proper 
germination either. Seed-to-air contact results from open planter
furrows when no-till planting into excessively wet soils. Germination
of kernels lying in open planter furrows is dependent on rainfall
keeping the open furrow environment moist. 

USEFUL TIPS: Whippers, wipers, movers, fingers, and other similar 
trash management gadgets for the planter are most beneficial when you 
are challenged with rocky, cloddy, or trashy surface soil conditions. 
They help clear the way (literally) for the planter's double-disc 
openers to more easily do their job of creating an optimum seed 
furrow. Other planter attachments that help press the kernels into 
the seed furrow can improve seed-to-soil contact and seeding depth
uniformity when seedbed conditions are otherwise challenging. 

SURFACE SOIL FREE FROM CRUST. 

Severe surface crusting or compaction will restrict emergence of the
coleoptile and cause underground leafing or plant death. Severe 
sidewall compaction can also limit elongation of the mesocotyl and
emergence of the coleoptile. 

USEFUL TIP: Avoid excessive tillage prior to planting the crop,
especially if significant rainfall is forecast prior to emergence of
the crop. Avoid excessive downpressure on the closing wheels of the 
planter. Avoid planting "on the wet side" that often results in 
smeared sidewalls.

RELATED REFERENCES

Carter, Paul, Emerson Nafziger, and Joe Lauer. North Central Regional
Extension Pub. No. 344. [On-Line]. Available at <http://
learningstore.uwex.edu/pdf%5CNCR344.pdf.> (URL verified 4/23/07). 

Jasa, Paul. 2007. Avoiding Sidewall Compaction at Planting Don't 
Plant Too Shallow. CropWatch Newsletter, Univ. of Nebraska. [On-Line].
Available at <http://cropwatch.unl.edu/archives/2007/crop8/
sidewall_compaction.htm>. (URL verified 4/23/07). 

Nielsen, RL (Bob). 2007a. Germination Events in Corn. Corny News
Network, Purdue Univ. [On-Line]. Available at <http://
www.kingcorn.org/news/timeless/GerminationEvents.html>. (URL 
verified 4/23/07). 

Nielsen, RL (Bob). 2007b. 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 verified
4/23/07) 

Nielsen, RL (Bob). 2007c. The Emergence Process in Corn. Corny News
Network, Purdue Univ. [On-Line]. Available at <http://www.kingcorn.org
/news/timeless/Emergence.html>. (URL verified 4/23/07). 

R.L. (Bob) Nielsen, Department of Agronomy, Purdue University. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------
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 13, 2007
-----------------------------------------------------
                | Past Week Weather Summary Data   
                |---------------------------------
 Station        |      Air      |            | Avg  
                |  Temperature  |  Precip.   |4 in.  
                |---------------|------------|Soil 
                |Hi |Lo |Avg|DFN| Total|Days |Temp 
----------------------------------------------------- 
Northwest (1)                                    
Chalmers_5W      90  40  66  +7   0.00     0     
Francesville     86  39  64  +6   0.07     1     
Valparaiso_AP_I  82  40  64  +7   0.07     1     
Wanatah          84  40  63  +8   0.11     1   66
Winamac          85  42  64  +7   0.72     2   64
North Central(2)                                 
Plymouth         84  42  64  +6   0.00     0     
South_Bend       84  42  65  +8   0.00     0     
Young_America    86  41  67  +9   0.13     1     
Northeast (3)                                    
Columbia_City    86  38  63  +7   0.24     2   58
Fort_Wayne       87  35  64  +7   0.12     2     
West Central(4)                                  
Greencastle      84  42  65  +5   0.17     1     
Perrysville      90  42  68  +9   0.16     1   72
Spencer_Ag       86  43  66  +8   0.23     1     
Terre_Haute_AFB  85  42  68  +8   0.37     2     
W_Lafayette_6NW  88  40  66  +9   0.00     0   72
Central (5)                                      
Eagle_Creek_AP   86  47  68  +8   0.45     1     
Greenfield       85  45  67  +7   0.54     1     
Indianapolis_AP  86  48  69  +9   0.33     2     
Indianapolis_SE  86  44  66  +6   0.72     1     
Tipton_Ag        87  41  65  +8   0.68     2   67
East Central(6)                                  
Farmland         85  40  64  +8   0.14     1   64
New_Castle       84  43  65  +8   0.31     1     
Southwest (7)                                    
Evansville       88  51  72 +10   1.25     3     
Freelandville    85  48  69  +8   0.26     2     
Shoals           88  44  68  +8   0.40     3     
Stendal          89  52  73 +11   0.29     1     
Vincennes_5NE    88  49  70 +10   0.34     2   70
South Central(8)                                 
Leavenworth      85  49  69  +9   0.28     3     
Oolitic          85  45  67  +8   0.01     1   67
Tell_City        87  57  72 +10   1.40     1     
Southeast (9)                                    
Brookville       89  46  68  +9   0.00     0     
Greensburg       85  45  69 +10   0.00     0     
Scottsburg       89  47  70  +9   0.16     2     
----------------------------------------------------

      Weather Information Table (Continued)

         Week ending Sunday May 13, 2007
------------------------------------------------
                        Accumulation           
                --------------------------------
                      April 1, 2007 thru       
 Station                 May 13, 2007       
                 --------------------------------
                  Precipitation   |GDD Base 50oF
                 --------------------------------
                       |     |    |     |
                 Total | DFN |Days|Total|  DFN   
-------------------------------------------------
Northwest (1)   |
Chalmers_5W     | 4.25  -1.07  11   310   +69
Francesville    | 4.34  -0.80  13   285   +85
Valparaiso_AP_I | 3.11  -2.47   9   285   +99
Wanatah         | 5.40  +0.03  12   252   +98
Winamac         | 4.98  -0.16  13   285   +85
North Central(2)|
Plymouth        | 5.27  -0.19  14   257   +43
South_Bend      | 4.61  -0.55  12   298  +127
Young_America   | 3.63  -1.40  10   324  +130
Northeast (3)   |
Columbia_City   | 3.94  -1.13  13   255  +102
Fort_Wayne      | 3.82  -0.99  17   299  +116
West Central(4) |
Greencastle     | 4.67  -1.01  13   341   +71
Perrysville     | 3.71  -1.85  13   404  +175
Spencer_Ag      | 5.47  -0.56  14   355  +120
Terre_Haute_AFB | 4.94  -0.87  14   415  +147
W_Lafayette_6NW | 4.26  -1.14  12   338  +138
Central (5)     |
Eagle_Creek_AP  | 4.69  -0.70  14   417  +160
Greenfield      | 5.80  -0.10  19   358  +135
Indianapolis_AP | 4.17  -1.22  16   417  +160
Indianapolis_SE | 6.18  +0.52  16   355  +114
Tipton_Ag       | 4.21  -1.35  14   309  +136
East Central(6) |
Farmland        | 4.85  -0.28  14   283  +117
New_Castle      | 5.78  -0.19  12   322  +151
Southwest (7)   |
Evansville      | 6.14  +0.10  16   519  +144
Freelandville   | 4.14  -1.84  14   445  +155
Shoals          | 6.12  -0.17  16   415  +132
Stendal         | 5.67  -0.95  15   539  +212
Vincennes_5NE   | 4.39  -1.59  15   468  +178
South Central(8)|
Leavenworth     | 6.68  +0.05  17   463  +174
Oolitic         | 5.61  -0.40  14   384  +134
Tell_City       | 6.91  +0.02  14   513  +171
Southeast (9)   |
Brookville      | 3.81  -1.99  13   409  +203
Greensburg      | 5.00  -1.11  15   417  +179
Scottsburg      | 7.64  +1.55  16   441  +147  
------------------------------------------------------------------
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 2007:  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