News
Indiana farmers struggle with saturated fields
Heavy rains early last week saturated Indiana fields and limited fieldwork for most of the week. USDA reporters say more than three inches of rain fell in some areas, leaving less than two and a half days suitable for fieldwork. Forty percent of topsoil and 33% of subsoil have surplus moisture.
Eighty percent of Indiana’s corn is planted and 55% of that has emerged. Sixty-six percent of the soybeans are planted and 38% have emerged. Ninety-three percent of winter wheat is jointing. Indiana producers have already cut 8% of their first crop alfalfa and 4% of other hay.
With the high moisture levels, USDA reporters say Indiana farmers spent time scouting fields, applying herbicide, delivering grain, and doing maintenance work.