Kentucky experienced well below normal temperatures and below normal rainfall over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 0.07 inches, 0.69 inches below normal. Temperatures averaged 43 degrees for the week, 8 degrees below normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 5 percent short, 84 percent adequate, and 10 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 84 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 5.2 out of a possible seven.
Primary activities for this week included harvesting corn and soybeans, stripping tobacco, and seeding winter wheat.
Although this week was dry for most of the state, temperatures dropped, leading to frost conditions. There are still areas where the ground remained wet, but overall, harvest made a strong push. Grain yields seem to be varied, however strong soybean yields have slowed harvest in some areas.
Housed tobacco was reported 76 percent in good condition, as stripping moves ahead steadily.
Pasture condition remains mostly good, although with cold temperatures and frost, growth has been stunted. At this time, pasture is accounting for 57 percent of livestock feed. There were reports of very late hay being cut, but yields were poor. The quality of harvested hay was rated mostly good overall.
Winter wheat planting is pushing ahead as the current crop is in mostly good condition. The wheat crop is steadily emerging.
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Tobacco, Weather