in-crop-weather

State
Indiana Crop Weather

Week Ending Date
April 14, 2002

Issue
IN-CW1502

Agricultural Summary 

Rain early and again late in the week halted fieldwork in most areas
of the state, according to the Indiana Agricultural Statistics Service.
Farmers are anxious to get field activities underway, but it will take
a few days of sunshine and warmer temperatures for many fields to dry
out.  Soils are very wet in most areas of the state. Rivers are 
flooding in some areas and ponds of water exist in many low lying 
areas of fields.  Warmer temperatures and the precipitation spurred
pasture and forage crop growth and development.   

						
Field Crops Report

There were 1.5 days suitable for fieldwork.  Field activities were
virtually at a standstill again last week.  The best progress was made
in the southern portion of the state, where a few fields of corn were
planted.  Soil conditions remain too wet in most regions to support 
heavy equipment.  Some farmers were able to apply anhydrous and
spraying was accomplished on some fields. 
 
Major activities during the week were preparing equipment, purchasing
supplies, moving grain to market, hauling manure, conservation practice
planning, cleaning fence rows and taking care of livestock.

Twenty-six percent of the winter wheat acreage is jointed compared with
32 percent last year and 38 percent for the 5-year average.  Winter wheat
condition is rated 57 percent good to excellent, same as last week, but
far below the 79 percent a year ago at this time.  Wheat growth and
development improved last week. 

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report

Pasture condition is rated 8 percent excellent, 43 percent good, 39
percent fair, 9 percent poor and 1 percent very poor.  Pasture and
forage growth has been slow thus far this season.  Hay supplies are
rated 1 percent very short, 11 percent short, 77 percent adequate
and 11 percent surplus.  Livestock are in mostly good condition.
Feedlots are muddy.  Calving and lambing are active.  

                         
                  Crop Progress Table
--------------------------------------------------------
                          : This : Last : Last : 5-Year
     Crop                 : Week : Week : Year :  Avg
--------------------------------------------------------
                                      Percent
Corn Planted                  0      0     3       2
Winter Wheat Jointed         26      7    32      38

                    
                   Crop Condition Table
--------------------------------------------------------
                   : Very :      :      :      : Excel-
     Crop          : Poor : Poor : Fair : Good : lent
--------------------------------------------------------
                                  Percent
Pasture               1      9      39     43      8
Winter Wheat 2002     1      7      35     49      8
Winter Wheat 2001     0      3      18     65     14

   Soil Moisture & Days Suitable For Fieldwork Table
-------------------------------------------------------
                   : This : Last : Last
                   : Week : Week : Year
-------------------------------------------------------
                           Percent
Topsoil
  Very Short          0       0      2
  Short               0       1      8
  Adequate           40      38     72
  Surplus            60      61     18
Subsoil
  Very Short          0       0      4
  Short               3       4     19
  Adequate           62      60     71
  Surplus            35      36      6
Days Suitable       1.5     0.9    3.7

Contact information
--Ralph W. Gann, 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
                              
Considerations for the Day of Planting

-The day of planting requires some decisions on planter adjustments
 and crop management

Corn and soybean planting are just around the proverbial corner for
Indiana growers.  Based on 1983-2001 crop reporting data (Indiana Ag.
Stats.Service), about 20% of Indiana's corn crop is typically planted
by 30 April and 50% by 10 May.  Last year, we were spoiled by the 
earliest ever completion of planting; about 98%  completion by 10 May.

While recent snowy and rainy conditions will likely limit much 
planting in early April this year, soil conditions will hopefully
improve by the usual late April time period that typifies the start
of serious corn planting in Indiana.  Regardless of planting date,
certain crop management decisions need to be made on the day of
planting on a field-by-field basis.

A number of these decisions are related to planter adjustments and
operation.  Other day-of-planting decisions relate to seeding depth,
seeding rate, and hybrid planting order.  Factors that impact these
decisions include soil moisture & temperature conditions, surface soil
conditions, short-term weather forecasts, and variability among your 
available seed lots for hybrid vigor, seed quality and seed size.

Planter Decisions.  For pneumatic planter metering systems (some blow 
and some suck), you should prepare a checklist for every seed lot you
have in the shed prior to planting that includes each seed lot's seed
weight (seeds per lb.), the appropriate air or vacuum pressure, and
the appropriate seed disc or drum.  The latter two items require that 
you find the planter operations manual that has been collecting dust 
since last year.  Keep this checklist with you during planting and 
refer to it when you change hybrids to ensure that you adjust the 
planter accordingly and avoid variable seed spacing.

Adjustments to the down pressure of the furrow closing devices (wheels,
fingers, etc.) should be made according to the soil conditions of every
field you plant, and may vary day by day during the season.  Use only 
enough down pressure to firmly close the seed furrow.  Excessive down 
pressure can compact the soil above the seed and restrict the emergence
of the corn seedlings.  Obviously, inadequate down pressure may leave 
open furrows, especially in no-till systems.

Adjust the depth and tension of no-till coulters to match soil 
conditions.  Do not cut deeper with the coulter (in line with the disc
opener) than the depth of seeding.  Excessively deep coulter action
can disturb too much soil below where the seed lands, making it 
difficult for the closing wheels to adequately firm the soil around 
the seed.

Remember that excessive down pressure at the parallel linkages (i.e., 
heavy-duty no-till springs) can lift the planter frame AND the drive
wheels, resulting in uneven operation of the planter transmission and
subsequent uneven seed spacing or seeding population.  Ensure that the
planter units are parallel or level to the ground when the planter is
in operation to avoid problems with disc opener depth, press wheel 
efficiency, and seed to soil contact.

Planting speed should not exceed the manufacturer's recommendations 
because of the risk of uneven seed spacing.  For most planters, the
optimum range of speeds is 5 to 6 miles per hour.  If you're hell-bent
on planting faster than this, at least do yourself a favor and check 
seeds in the row once in a while for accuracy in spacing and depth.

Remember to faithfully use graphite lubricant with finger pickup seed
meters at a rate of 1 tablespoon per bushel of seed.  If you discover 
excessive seed treatment is building up on the fingers or meter
backplate, then use more graphite.  Remember to faithfully use talc 
powder with vacuum seed meters at a rate of 1 cup per bushel to prevent
sticky seed, especially under humid conditions.

Diligently lubricate the chains and bearings of the planter every day.
This is best done at the end of a planting day when the chains and
bearings are warm.  Use a multipurpose spray lubricant on the planter 
chains, not chain lube or old motor oil, because such lubricant dries 
better, is less sticky, and is less of a dirt magnet the following day.

Crop Management Decisions.  Choose an appropriate seeding depth
according to the field conditions & weather forecast.  The primary goal
is to aim for a depth that will ensure placement of seed into uniform
soil moisture.  Spatial variability for moisture in the seed zone is 
probably the most common cause of uneven germination and emergence of
corn.  As a rule of thumb, I recommend seeding depths no less than
1 1/2 inches.  If necessary, do not hesitate to plant as deeply as
2 or 3 inches if that is what it takes to reach adequate and uniform
soil moisture.  Check the actual depth of seeding frequently from field
to field or day to day.  Actual seeding depth can vary from the 
targeted planter setting as soil conditions change.

Remember that rapid and uniform corn germination and emergence will not
occur when soil temperatures are less than 50 degrees F.  Seedling 
establishment will also not occur rapidly and uniformly if soil 
temperatures remain cold.  Cool soils are especially likely when 
planting early and/or in no-till with heavy surface trash.

For these reasons, improve the odds of successful stand establishment
when planting early in the season by strategically planting the various
hybrids at your disposal. Early in the planting season, plant hybrids 
with excellent seedling vigor ratings and warm germination ratings. 
Save the hybrids with merely average seedling vigor ratings and warm 
germination ratings for later in the season when soils have warmed 
significantly.  If you have access to cold germination ratings for
your hybrids, similarly begin planting with the best cold germination 
seed lots and end with the average lots.

Avoid planting early with seed lots whose seed size is excessively or
unusually small (e.g., 35 lb. 80k bags).  Most of the time, seed size
is of no consequence in performance of a given seed lot.  However, 
evidence from research in Wisconsin years ago suggests that such 
unusually small seed can be at a disadvantage when germination/emergence
and early stand establishment conditions are severely limited by cold 
soils.

Generally, most Indiana corn growers should aim for final plant 
populations at harvest in the range of 26-to 30,000 plants per acre.
Under 'normal' planting conditions, this target requires seeding rates
between 28 - and 33,000 seeds per acre to account for normal rates of
germination failure and seedling mortality.  Early in the season, 
consider using seeding rates that are 5 to 10 % greater than what you
would normally use if you expect greater than normal mortality rates
due to cold and 'crappy' conditions with early planting.

The use of starter fertilizer is especially helpful when planting early
into cold and 'crappy' conditions.  Purdue research suggests that 
starter nitrogen (N) is the primary nutrient of interest where soil
phosphorus and potassium levels are adequate for crop growth.  Aim 
for no less than 20 lbs of actual N per acre to maximize the 
probability and magnitude of a yield response to starter fertilizer.
This rate would be equal to 6.5 gallons of 28% UAN per acre or 200 lbs.
of 10-34-0 per acre applied in a traditional 2 x 2 placement with the
planter.  Such rates obviously restrict the use of starter placement 
with the seed because of the risk of fertilizer salt injury to the 
seed or seedling.

Bob Nielsen, Department of Agronomy, Purdue University.

                               

                    Weather Information Table
     
               Week Ending Sunday April 14, 2002
---------------------------------------------------------------
                | Past Week Weather Summary Data   
                |---------------------------------
 Station        |      Air      |           | Avg  
                |  Temperature  |  Precip.  |4 in.  
                |---------------|-----------|Soil 
                |Hi |Lo |Avg|DFN|Total |Days|Temp 
--------------------------------------------------------------- 
Northwest (1)   |                                
Valparaiso_AP_I |76  30  53  +6   1.06     2     
Wanatah         |75  28  50  +4   0.86     2   51
Wheatfield      |76  33  52  +6   0.86     3     
Winamac         |75  29  51  +4   1.13     4   51
North Central(2)|                                
Chalmers_5W     |76  32  52  +3   1.49     4     
Plymouth        |76  28  51  +3   0.95     3     
South_Bend      |75  28  52  +6   0.93     3     
Young_America   |77  31  53  +6   1.86     3     
Northeast (3)   |                                
Columbia_City   |75  26  52  +7   2.24     4   49
Fort_Wayne      |76  30  56  +9   1.46     3     
West Central (4)|                                
Greencastle     |78  28  53  +2   0.99     5     
Perrysville     |76  32  55  +6   2.02     5   50
Terre_Haute_AFB |78  31  58  +7   0.91     4     
W_Lafayette_6NW |77  31  54  +6   2.17     5   52
Central (5)     |                                
Brookville      |81  34  58  +9   2.38     4     
Eagle_Creek_AP  |77  32  57  +7   1.61     4     
Greenfield      |79  32  55  +6   2.23     5     
Indianapolis_AP |79  35  58  +8   1.07     4     
Indianapolis_SE |78  32  56  +6   1.56     4     
Tipton_Ag       |76  29  52  +6   0.95     4   48
East Central (6)|                                
Farmland        |78  28  53  +7   1.90     5   47
New_Castle      |75  28  52  +6   2.16     5     
Southwest (7)   |                                
Evansville      |81  37  62  +8   2.67     4     
Freelandville   |79  35  57  +6   1.66     4     
Shoals          |81  31  56  +5   1.53     3     
Stendal         |80  36  60  +7   3.53     4     
Vincennes_5NE   |80  36  58  +7   1.50     3   50
South Central(8)|                                
Spencer_Ag      |78  29  53  +4   2.44     5     
Tell_City       |83  36  62  +8   2.14     3     
Southeast (9)   |                                
Milan_5NE       |77  28  55  +7   1.86     4     
Scottsburg      |80  35  58  +6   1.55     3     
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

-------------------------------------------------------------                                                            
                |        Accumulation           
                |      April 1, 2002 thru       
 Station        |      April 14, 2002         
                | Precipitation   |GDD Base 50oF 
                |      |     |    |     |
                |Total | DFN |Days|Total| DFN  
-------------------------------------------------------------
Northwest (1)   |
Valparaiso_AP_I | 2.00  +0.21   6    36   +16
Wanatah         | 1.87  +0.12   6    22    +8
Wheatfield      | 2.02  +0.27   6    29   +14
Winamac         | 1.79  +0.11   9    28    +7
North Central(2)|
Chalmers_5W     | 1.63  +0.01   9    29    -5
Plymouth        | 2.30  +0.53   8    28    +4
South_Bend      | 1.58  -0.23   8    33   +16
Young_America   | 2.24  +0.69   6    33   +13
Northeast (3)   |
Columbia_City   | 2.80  +1.12   7    30   +18
Fort_Wayne      | 1.88  +0.34   6    51   +33
West Central (4)|
Greencastle     | 1.35  -0.33   6    35    -4
Perrysville     | 2.03  +0.24   6    43   +13
Terre_Haute_AFB | 1.06  -0.69   5    70   +29
W_Lafayette_6NW | 2.51  +0.87   8    35   +14
Central (5)     |
Brookville      | 2.77  +1.03   6    61   +36
Eagle_Creek_AP  | 2.24  +0.53   6    57   +22
Greenfield      | 2.69  +0.88   9    46   +20
Indianapolis_AP | 1.34  -0.37   5    67   +32
Indianapolis_SE | 1.97  +0.30   5    46   +14
Tipton_Ag       | 1.51  -0.28   8    34   +18
East Central (6)|
Farmland        | 2.88  +1.23   8    40   +26
New_Castle      | 2.94  +1.11   6    34   +18
Southwest (7)   |
Evansville      | 2.86  +0.99   5    99   +27
Freelandville   | 2.04  +0.31   5    59   +11
Shoals          | 1.81  -0.08   4    55    +8
Stendal         | 3.68  +1.62   5    77   +19
Vincennes_5NE   | 1.70  -0.03   4    63   +15
South Central(8)|
Spencer_Ag      | 2.64  +0.81   6    39    +6
Tell_City       | 2.35  +0.10   4   103   +39
Southeast (9)   |
Milan_5NE       | 2.11  +0.37   6    48   +23
Scottsburg      | 1.72  -0.25   4    62   +14
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
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 2002:  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 
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POSTMASTER:   Send address change to the Indiana Agricultural Statistics
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47906-4145.

Source: Indiana Agricultural Statistics Service