Kentucky experienced above normal temperatures and rainfall over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 1.91 inches, 0.96 inches above normal. Temperatures averaged 78 degrees for the week, 2 degrees above normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 2 percent very short, 15 percent short, 61 percent adequate, and 22 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 3 percent very short, 19 percent short, 61 percent adequate, and 17 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 3.7 out of a possible seven.
Primary activities for this week included spraying, cutting hay, topping tobacco, and monitoring field crops. Much of the state saw another week of heavy rain as eastern Kentucky attempts to recover from recent flooding. The rain helped in some areas, but exacerbated flooding issues in others. Soil erosion and field flooding were reported where the heaviest rain fell.
Corn is 92 percent silking while 73 percent of the crop is in the milk stage. Fifty-five percent of corn is in the dough stage at this juncture with 33 percent of the crop denting. Overall corn condition has steadied despite some reported flood damage. There were reports of good grain fill, however for some, the recent rain is too little, too late.
Seventy-four percent of soybeans are blooming with 53 percent of the crop setting pods. Two percent of the beans in the state are coloring. Much like corn, the overall condition of soybeans has stabilized. Farmers are applying fungicide to soybeans where necessary.
Tobacco is 69 percent blooming at this time as 45 percent of the crop has been topped. The condition of tobacco has improved with recent rain. With that said, there are areas where too much rain has caused leaves to drop and mold to form.
Pasture growth has been aided by the recent rain, however livestock damage is evident as the ground is very soft. Despite being susceptible to animal traffic, pasture condition has improved slightly overall.
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Corn, Soybeans