Dry conditions allowed for fieldwork, but rain is needed in much of the state for corn and soybeans.

"The crops are starting to get stressed and need water," said Dan Blocker Thursday. Blocker is account relations manager for North Central Co-Op in Bippus, which serves Wabash and Huntington counties. "The rains have been hit-and-miss."

Blocker noted some soybean farmers in his counties have been spraying for spider mites, but rain is the main ingredient needed: "If we could get some rain, we would be on track for a good crop (corn and soybeans)." The dry, cooler weather allowed for more fieldwork, according to the NASS Crop & Weather report for the week ending Aug. 3. Average temperatures ranged from 65-73 degrees, which is 4-9 below the norm.

Corn is doughing at 40 percent in southern Indiana, 38 percent in the center of the state and 30 percent in the north, according to NASS. Field corn was doughing at 35 percent last week. This compares with 13 percent the week before, 11 percent last year and 29 percent for the five-year average.

Last week 96 percent of the field corn had silked, according to NASS. This compares with 88 percent the previous week, 91 percent last year at this time and 90 percent for the five-year average. Only 1 percent of corn was in dent last week. No corn was dented the week before, while the percentage was zero last year and 6 percent for the five-year average.

Overall corn condition is rated at 75 percent good to excellent, according to NASS. Soybeans are rated 71 percent good to excellent. Soybeans are setting pods at a rate of 74 percent in the north, 67 percent in the south and 63 percent in central Indiana, according to NASS.

Last week 68 percent statewide were setting pods, which compares with 51 percent the week before, 52 percent last year and 46 percent for the five-year average.

In addition, 92 percent of soybeans were blooming, according to NASS, versus 84 percent two weeks ago, 82 percent last year and 81 percent for the five-year average.