Average Indiana snowfall this winter is well below normal. For example, South Bend is running about a foot of snow behind where it typically is this time of year, though last winter was even worse. Drought stress was a concern toward the end of last growing season and Purdue Extension Soybean Specialist Shaun Casteel says it’s still a concern, especially in northern Indiana.
Before the last round of snow, “About a third of the state was abnormally dry, in that northwest corner, to what they call ‘Drought 1’ status about 15 percent,” says Casteel. “So, definitely areas that were needing it. So, again that soil recharge- I think that’s one that a lot of people going into the middle of winter, we enjoyed the fall to get some applications out of fertilizer, but some recharge is definitely in need.”