Kentucky experienced well below normal temperatures and much below normal rainfall over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 0.04 inches, 0.78 inches below normal. Temperatures averaged 57 degrees for the week, 7 degrees below normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 19 percent very short, 44 percent short, 35 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 14 percent very short, 40 percent short, 43 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 6.8 out of a possible seven.
Primary activities for this week included cutting tobacco along with harvesting corn and soybeans. The fall harvest continues to roll along aided by dry weather. Temperatures have been cool with the first sign of frost.
With 91 percent of the crop mature, corn is 57 percent harvested. Corn condition improved slightly despite the persistently dry conditions. Corn yields vary greatly with drought during the growing season taking a toll in some areas.
Seventy-nine percent of the soybean crop is coloring at this juncture. The bean harvest is moving along steadily as 57 percent of the crop is dropping leaves. Double crop soybeans have suffered from drought and recent frost. Any frost damage is still being assessed. Like corn, soybean yields seem to vary greatly based on location and condition is slightly improved. Ninety-two percent of tobacco has been cut at this point.
Tobacco yields appear to be fairly normal as many producers irrigated during the summer months. The condition of housed tobacco is 4 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 56 percent good, and 10 percent excellent. Tobacco houseburn is rated as 4 percent severe, 19 percent moderate, 23 percent light, and 54 percent with none evident.
Pasture condition continues to deteriorate due to dry weather. Many farmers are now feeding hay to offset the stunted pasture regrowth. Hay supplies are rated as 2 percent very short, 16 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus.
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Soybeans