Kentucky experienced above normal precipitation and temperatures over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 1.53 inches, 0.78 inches below normal. Temperatures averaged 75 degrees for the week, 1 degree above normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 3% very short, 16% short, 70% adequate and 11% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 3% very short, 14% short, 76% adequate, and 7% surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 5.4 out of a possible seven. Primary activities this week included topping and cutting tobacco.
Corn harvest has begun for some producers, however they are still in the early stages. Farmers across much of the state received much needed rain over the past week with some localized flooding in a few areas. Eighty-eight percent of corn is in the dough stage while 75% of the crop is dented. Forty percent of corn is mature at this juncture with 7% of the crop harvested. Corn condition remain steady following drought earlier in the season.
Eighty-nine percent of soybeans are setting pods with 30% of the crop coloring. Ten percent of beans are now dropping leaves. Soybean condition has improved slightly to be mostly good to fair overall.
Tobacco is 91% topped at this time and 46% of the crop has been harvested. The condition of tobacco remains mostly good.
Pastures are in mostly good to fair condition and the overall condition has improved slightly from the recent rains. The quality of hay made is in mostly good condition.
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Corn, Harvesting