Indiana
Crop progress is significantly ahead of this time last year, according to the Indiana Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The corn silking stands at 91 percent, compared to 49 in 2009.

Soybeans are bountifully blooming at 79 percent, compared to 48 this time last year and 42 percent of the soybean acreage is setting pods compared with 6 last year.

Good news is also reported for winter wheat and alfalfa hay. Virtually all of the winter wheat acreage has been harvested. Most producers are completing their second cutting of alfalfa hay, with 84 percent of the acreage complete, matching the five-year average. Eighty-one percent was finished this time last year.

Overall crop production is looking good, with low to moderate pest incidence, said Jim Luzar, Purdue University extension educator in Vigo County: “Western corn rootworm was mostly drowned out by May rains. Soybean aphids were also curtailed by wet weather, especially to the north. We are looking for potential sudden death syndrome in soybeans late in the growing season.”

While pockets of the state received sporadic deluges of rain, another week of high temperatures placed some stress on major field crops. Some areas are very dry while others have a surplus of moisture. The high temps are also to blame for some dairy operations experiencing a reduction in milk production because of heat stress on the cows.
By Susan Hayhurst
Indiana Correspondent

Illinois
Heavy rainfall in northern Illinois from last July 23-25 is the story of the week. More than 12 inches of rain fell in Freeport in Stephenson County alone, extension officials report.

Likewise, there were 10 inches falling in Winnebago County and as much as 12 inches dumped in parts of northern DeKalb County. This left fields with standing water and in some cases, with submerged crops.

Despite this activity, soybeans have been growing well, and plant heights in numerous fields are higher than any time last year.

Southern Illinois’ rainfall events are becoming more scattered, with reports ranging for need for more rain and those wishing for less. Early corn is approaching dent stage, while soybean development ranges from vegetative up to around R4.

Conditions in central Illinois were reported as “quite variable over the past week.” The western side of the state received 3-7 inches of rain and many fields are flooded or have standing water. The eastern side, however, received only 0.5-1.5 inches.

The corn is said to still be a “little variable” and soybeans are mostly in the R3 stage.
By Karen Binder
Illinois Correspondent

Ohio
This summer’s wet, hot, humid conditions have been a blessing for corn and soybean growers. But when it comes to fruit, the one benefiting the most from these has been the apple. Most of the 163 certified apple orchards across the state report bumper crops.

The apple trees of Ron and Gayle Irons at Irons Fruit Farm in Lebanon are abundant with apples – so many that they’re literally sagging the branches. “We have 15 acres of apples and they’re bigger and more abundant than ever,” Gayle said. “They’re ripening about two weeks ahead of schedule and that’s due to the rain mixed with hot temperatures.”

According to officials at the NASS office in Reynoldsburg, 53 percent of summer apples have been harvested, 14 percent ahead of last season and 24 percent above the five-year average. Apples were rated 80 percent in fair-to-good condition and peaches were rated at 79 percent.

“We’re also seeing an increase in our blueberries and red raspberries,” Gayle said.

NASS reports indicate that growers saw similar success with cucumbers (42 percent harvested), potatoes (14) and tomatoes (2).

Of course, in Ohio no crops have fared better this past season, or past week for that matter, than corn and soybeans. As of last Sunday, 92 percent of corn was tasseled, compared to just 55 last season at this time. And 79 percent of soybeans are blooming and 36 were setting pods.

Officials in the Reynoldsburg office say maturity of the above-mentioned fruits, as well as the corn and soybeans, is because of warm temperatures combined with ideal rainfall. The average temperature across the state was 79 degrees, 5.3 above normal, and precipitation levels for the week were 1.38 inches, nearly one-third above normal.

NASS officials said the high humidity and rainfall this summer made hay difficult to harvest but this past week hay producers had favorable conditions for cutting and baling. In fact, 91 percent of the second cutting of alfalfa hay was complete, as well as 26 of the third cutting.

Ninety-four percent of oats were reported ripe (87 percent rated in fair-to-good condition) and are 31 percent ahead of last season. Forty-nine percent of this crop has been harvested.

Growers of most fruits and vegetables in Ohio saw improvement in their crops, as there were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork this past week. Growers have the weatherman to thank for that.
By Doug Graves
Ohio Correspondent

Iowa
Strong thunderstorms wreaked havoc once again on Iowa cropland, dumping more heavy rain across the state, leaving farmers to contend with even more flooded fields.

“The recent wave of severe storms has added new challenges for farmers that were in a storm’s path, many of whom have already had a difficult growing season,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey. “Fortunately, some areas have been able to dry out between the rains and remain in good condition.”

The July 26 Iowa Crop & Weather Report said crops on flatter and lower grounds aren’t draining well, with the significant amount of rain received.

“Fungicide, herbicide and insecticide spraying are ongoing as prevention rather than treatment with recent conditions,” the report said. “Considering all the excess rain, no significant crop damage was reported.”

The report said 94 percent of corn acres have tasseled, 85 have silked and 21 have reached the milk stage, while 82 percent of the soybean crop bloomed, with pods set on 44 percent of acres.

The report also said oats have turned color on 96 percent of the acres, while 70 percent of the second cutting of alfalfa has been completed, with a third cutting just beginning.

State Climatologist Harry Hillaker said the worst flooding was over northeastern Iowa, where record flood crests were established along the Maquoketa River. On July 24, the historic Lake Delhi dam broke, causing major flood damage in the surrounding areas.

U.S. Sen. Steve King (R-Iowa) received federal approval July 29 on his request for major disaster declaration for storm, flood and tornado damage in 32 counties.

“I know that the scenes of flood damage I observed in Cherokee County are being repeated throughout both the 5th District and the state at large,” he said. “Access to these federal recovery programs will help those communities that have been severely impacted by the storms get back on their feet.”
By Doug Schmitz
Iowa Correspondent

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