Sunny, warm days last week helped dry out fields in time for harvest. For some fields in southern Indiana, however, a little rain is overdue.

Kenneth Scheeringa, associate state climatologist for Indiana, said last week the bottom half of the state had seen as little as 1/4 or 1/5 of an inch of rain for the month so far. This is far below normal levels for September.

Prior to last week, a storm moved through northern parts of Indiana, providing up to 3 inches of rain. "The southern half missed that storm altogether," Scheeringa said.

Dry weather and drought conditions in the fall have become a trend for the last few years, he added. Fall officially began last week.

For the previous week, beginning Sept. 14, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) for the Great Lakes reported the days were warm and sunny, with above-average temperatures that began to dry out fields.

Seed corn, silage, processing tomatoes, pumpkins and cucumbers continued in harvest, while potato and mint harvest approached completion. Livestock are in good condition.

Both corn and soybean stands had improved in quality, with 47 percent rated in good to excellent condition.

By region, the corn harvest was 5 percent complete in the north and central by the end of the week, with the south posting 19 percent finished. Corn matured was at 42 percent in the north, 55 percent in the central and 70 percent in the south.

Soybean harvest, meanwhile, has just begun, with 3 percent complete in the north and 5 percent in the central and southern regions. Soybeans dropping leaves were at 58 percent in the north, 64 percent in the central and 66 percent in the south.