June 12, 2019

A Third Of Indiana's Corn Crop Is Unplanted: That's Better Than Expected

Hoosier farmers are beginning to shift their crop planting to soybeans as the calendar turns closer to July. - Steve Burns, WTIU/WFIU News

Hoosier farmers are beginning to shift their crop planting to soybeans as the calendar turns closer to July.

Steve Burns, WTIU/WFIU News

Dry weather last week allowed Hoosier farmers to make progress planting their crops, but this season still lags far behind previous ones.

According the United States Department of Agriculture, 67 percent of Indiana’s corn crop was in the ground as of June 9. That compares with nearly all at this time last year.

Purdue University professor Bob Nielson says he estimates there are about 2 million unplanted acres of corn left across the state and soybeans also lag far behind previous years.

"We’ve just never had as many acres involved with that decision as we have this year," he says. "That makes it different."

Farmers say planting corn anytime after June 1 is risky.

Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.

 

Related News

One group in northeast Indiana helps reduce recidivism through transportation program
Historic Fishers farmhouse to be deconstructed, portions preserved
USDA operations leave Washington D.C. for five new locations, Indianapolis is one of them