By Blake Jackson
Kentucky experienced near normal temperatures and above normal precipitation over the past week. The average temperature was 44 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the norm for this time of year. Precipitation totaled 1.18 inches, which is 0.28 inches above normal.
Soil moisture conditions improved this week, with 57% of topsoil moisture rated as adequate and 59% of subsoil moisture rated as adequate. However, some areas remain dry, with 9% of topsoil moisture and 9% of subsoil moisture rated as very short.
Fieldwork conditions were favorable this week, with an average of 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork out of a possible seven. Farmers were busy stripping tobacco, seeding winter wheat, and continuing the soybean harvest.
Soybean harvest is now 97% complete, and tobacco stripping is 76% complete. Winter wheat conditions improved this week due to the cooler and wetter conditions.
Pasture conditions also improved this week, but the lingering effects of the drought are still evident, with 34% of pastures still being reported as very poor or poor. Continued favorable conditions are needed to see further improvements.
Hay supplies are reported at 4% very short, 19% short, 72% adequate, and 5% surplus. With some farmers already having to supplement hay due to poor pasture conditions this fall, hay stocks will be of concern over the winter.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-fotokostic
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Soybeans, Harvesting