Kentucky experienced below normal temperatures and above normal rainfall over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 1.37 inches, 0.26 inches above normal. Temperatures averaged 65 degrees for the week, 2 degrees below normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 2 percent very short, 8 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 10 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 2 percent very short, 9 percent short, 81 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 4.3 out of a possible seven.
Primary activities for this week included planting corn and soybeans, setting tobacco, and cutting hay. Farmers continued to make progress in the fields despite unstable weather that led to scattered precipitation across the state. Rain totals varied dependent upon the area, however most of the state received some rainfall. Some areas of the state were getting abnormally dry and the precipitation will ease crop stress. Corn planting continues to maintain pace with recent history. Sixty-seven percent of the corn crop has now emerged. There were reports of corn being damaged in the very wet areas of the state. The average height of corn at this juncture is 9 inches. Soybean planting is just behind last year and ahead of the five year average at this time. Forty-one percent of the soybean crop has emerged. There was a strong increase in the amount of tobacco set as producers forged ahead whenever possible.
Winter wheat condition improved slightly overall as almost all of the crop is heading at this point. There were reports of lodged wheat as weather has taken a toll in some instances. Pastures remain in mostly good condition, but continued rain may cause some damage from livestock traffic. Livestock are in good condition and have not been over stressed by the weather thus far. Hay cutting continues steadily as the supply is currently adequate. Supplies were rated as 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 14 percent surplus. Condition of the hay crop is rated as 2 percent poor, 16 percent fair, 72 percent good, and 10 percent excellent. With fertilizer prices very high, there is a reluctance to apply any to hay and pasture ground. With that said, some good quality hay has been baled the last two weeks.
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Weather