Kentucky

Planting is progressing quickly in drier conditions. Acres planted to corn in the last couple of weeks have increased from 1% a few weeks ago to more than 60 - 70% in some areas. Northern Indiana has more than a week of field activity, followed by central Indiana. Larger planter units with bulk system seed units and 24 rows or more are covering the acreage at a record pace. Growers in parts of southern Indiana started a day or two ago and are rained out again. Most rain in recent weeks has occurred along the I70 and south.

It is a wet and cool spring, quite a contrast from last year’s dry and warm weather. Some field work such as fertilizer spreading, ammonia application, weed control, and tillage did happen early. Frequent and heavy rains with some snow are delaying planting and field work in recent weeks. Our weather conditions are about the norm for this time of year. There is no call for alarm yet.  Planting early is great when it happens, especially if soils are in good condition. Corn root systems develop much better in warm and moist soils compared to cool, wet and compacted soils.

Harvest operations are complete except for a few fields in northern and eastern Indiana. Indiana average yield is estimated to be about 100 bushels per acre, down from 146 in 2011, an expected a result from the summer heat and drought. Southern regions were hardest hit. Average yield in southern Indiana is 75 bushels per acre. Kentucky state average yield is about 68 bushels per acre, 71 bushels less than 2011. Dry and hot conditions moved west and north in late July to early August.

Corn harvest is almost complete in mid-south, well on the way in southern Indiana-Kentucky and beginning in the north. Yields are as expected. Irrigated fields in SW Missouri and Arkansas are producing 180-220 bushels per acre. Farms in southern Indiana and Kentucky are in the 30-80 bushel per acre range. There is an occasional 120-150 bushel yield where a timely rain occurred in July. Yields will vary from 0-30 on high ground and perhaps 100 or more in lower fertile ground. North and east central Indiana was also affected by extreme drought this summer.

Significant rainfall has occurred in the last two weeks but not enough to relieve drought conditions throughout the region.  It is the first time rainfall has been over an inch in one event since early winter.  Some storms have been severe with heavy rain in localized spots.  Southwestern and east central Indiana missed these rains and remains in extreme drought.  Many fields of corn are near or in the dent stage with little chance for yield improvement.

Dry conditions increased in all geographical regions in recent weeks. Almost 90% of Indiana is in some form of abnormally dry or drought stress as of Saturday.  Moderate drought is occurring in north central and northeast Indiana. South central Indiana is abnormally dry. Moderate to severe drought stress is found in Southwest Indiana, western Kentucky across the boot heel of Missouri and into Northeast Arkansas. The only area with good moisture is south east Indiana along the Ohio River.

INDIANA: Regions east of I69 were planted late and suffered most loss. Yields in tight clay soils were in the 120-150 B/A range. Fields south and east of I70 in the lighter soils were below 100 bushels per acre. Areas west of SR13 and north of I70 are in the 170-200+ B/A range. Yields in river valleys to the south are in 160-200+ B/A. Yield averages tend to be 20 bushels lower compared to last year. Those with deeper silty clay loam soils with adequate drainage endured stressful conditions better. About 40% corn acres were planted in late May to early June that produced the best crop.

Corn and soybean growth accelerated through the month of June and early July. Crops look better than expected and good yields are possible in many fields. Recently, high winds knocked corn down in northwest Indiana on July 11. But most of it stood back up in a few days. However, a week of soaring temperatures and high humidity with little rain is getting our attention now. Will corn make it through the critical pollination stages? Corn is well adapted to heat and can grow at temperatures in the 90’s. But available soil moisture is critical.

Wet fields, rain, wind and hail is the scenario this spring in Indiana and Kentucky. The rivers and streams are full to over flowing and water in the river bottoms is at the highest level since the 1930’s. All this makes it difficult to farm and tests one’s mettle. A dry field anywhere gets attention, if it’s large or just a piece. Many are farming around ponds and extremely wet places in fields just to get a crop in.