Ninety-six percent of the soybean acreage is planted compared with 85 percent a year ago and 66 percent for the average. Eighty-eight percent of the intended soybean acreage has emerged compared with 66 percent last year. Other activities during the week included spraying, applying anhydrous ammonia, cleaning and repairing equipment, chopping forage, mowing roads and hauling manure. Virtually all the winter wheat has headed compared with 97 percent last year and 77 percent for the average. Winter wheat condition is rated 65 percent good to excellent compared with 82 percent a year ago at this time.
Livestock are in mostly good condition.
Transplanting of tobacco is 31 percent complete compared with 25 percent for the average. First cutting of alfalfa hay is 30 percent complete compared with 25 percent for the 5-year average. Armyworms continue to march and destroy Indiana cropland and pastures. The 2001 Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program may cover armyworm damage, said Doug Hovermale, FSA program specialist. Details are still being worked out, he said.