Abnormally hot, dry weather raises fire risk concerns for farmers

**Crop Progress: Week Ending September 22**
Crop/Activity	This Week	Last Week	Last Year	5-Year Average
Days suitable for field work	6.5	6.7	NA	NA
Corn dented	95%	90%	91%	88%
Corn mature	67%	48%	45%	45%
Corn harvested for grain	12%	5%	6%	6%
Corn harvested for sileage	78%	55%	70%	80%
Soybeans dropping leaves	72%	51%	57%	55%
Soybeans harvested	16%	6%	5%	5%
Winter wheat planted	7%	3%	5%	5%
Winter wheat emerged	1%	0	1%	0
Alfalfa hay fourth cutting	59%	46%	59%	58%
Other hay third cutting	79%	73%	86%	82%
Other hay fourth cutting	27%	20%	31%	20%

There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sept. 22.

A lack of rainfall created dusty field conditions, and many farmers were hoping for rain to decrease fire hazards during harvest. Over half of the Indiana corn crop had reached maturity, significantly ahead of the five-year average pace. Similarly, soybeans dropping leaves progress continued ahead of schedule. Crop conditions remained stable despite the dry conditions, but late-planted soybeans were reported to be struggling with pod fill.

Many growers continued utilizing supplemental hay to feed livestock since pasture regrowth remained stalled.

Other activities included harvesting melons, hauling grain to market, mowing field edges, and applying lime.

**Crop Condition: Week Ending September 22**
Crop	Very Poor	Poor	Fair	Good	Excellent
Corn	3%	7%	29%	48%	13%
Soybeans	3%	8%	28%	49%	12%
Range/Pasture	12%	27%	34%	25%	2%

This is the 26th weekly crop and weather report for the 2024 season. A series of weekly crop progress reports will be published each Monday at 4 p.m. ET throughout the crop season. These reports will cover planting and harvesting activities, crop development, weather data, and timely crop management information provided by farmers, USDA, and Purdue University experts.