For Rochester grain farmer Dale Smith, last week was a normal week in an abnormal year. For four days, Smith irrigated his corn and soybeans, which is what he might typically do this time of year. But for much of the summer, the crops were waterlogged, as the northern part of the state received record levels of rainfall.

About two weeks ago, his flooded fields finally dried out, Smith said, after 18 inches of rain in June. He will be fortunate to harvest 50 percent of his corn crop, but his soybeans are rebounding better.

"In 1964, we had an extreme drought year and poor crops. We’ve had a few small droughts since. In 55 years of farming, this is one of the two worst years. This is the most water we’ve ever had," Smith said. "The corn looks terrible. Much of it is drowned out."

The corn that has survived responded well to a nitrogen application by airplane last month, he said. Smith can only stand back and watch right now. "We are watching and waiting. The crops in the high spots and the soybeans are looking pretty good."

With sunshine and dry days, some of the week’s activities included repairs on a grain facility, a driveway and roofs at Smith Family Farms. The inch of rain received on Friday was welcome, giving the sprayers a break.

The previous week was similar. According to the USDA crop report, Indiana saw hot, sunny days for much of the week ending on Aug. 9, which allowed the fields to drain and required some irrigation.

Recovery from June’s excess rain was inconsistent, with soybeans greening more quickly than corn, much of which remained yellow, with aborted kernels at the ear tips. Small ears of corn and fewer nodes on soybeans were also reported.

Soybeans were vulnerable to glyphosate-resistant marestail and waterhemp due to late herbicide application. Hay and straw were in full production, with alfalfa and other hay on their third cutting.

Pastures were dry, with livestock in good condition. Mint, cucumber and potatoes were harvested with lower yields because of the cool temperatures and excess rain earlier in the summer.

In regional parts of the state, soybeans setting pods were 77 percent complete in the north, 67 percent in the central and 76 percent in the south. Soybeans rated in good to excellent condition were as follows: 44 percent north, 46 percent central and 45 percent south.

Corn doughing was 44 percent complete in the north, 41 percent in the central and 55 percent in the southern part of the states. Corn was rated in good to excellent condition as follows: 43 percent north, 49 percent central and 56 percent south.