Farmers in Jackson County in south-central Indiana are anticipating corn and soybean crops to be a little above average this fall, according to Richard Beckort, the county’s Purdue University extension director.

"It won’t be a bin-buster, but it won’t be a washout either," he said. "The weather has been a factor, as we’ve had a little lack of rain, a little lack of temperatures. Humans don’t like those 90-degree temperatures, but corn and soybeans do love those temperatures."

As with other areas of the state, Jackson County has seen pretty spotty precipitation, Beckort said, adding he’s not aware of any fields that would be considered excessively drought-stricken.

In its Aug. 18 Indiana Crop Weather report, the Great Lakes region of NASS said corn in most areas was tolerating the dry weather, while the lack of moisture posed a developmental risk to soybeans currently setting pods. NASS also noted some southern districts had reported cases of sudden death syndrome in soybeans. Beckort said he wasn’t aware of any problems in Jackson County.

According to NASS, 29 percent of field corn in the state had dented, up from 5 percent at the same time last year. The five-year average is 23 percent. Seventy-two percent of the crop was in the dough stage, up from 53 percent. The five-year average is 65 percent.

Most of the state’s soybeans – 90 percent – were setting pods, up from 77 percent last year. The five-year average is also 77 percent.

The third cutting of alfalfa was 51 percent complete, down from last year’s 64 percent. The five-year average is 59 percent.

Ninety-four percent of both field corn and soybean crops were rated fair to excellent. For range and pastureland, 87 percent was rated fair to excellent.