By Blake Jackson
Kentucky experienced above-normal temperatures and rainfall over the past week. The average temperature was 64 degrees, which is 9 degrees above normal. Rainfall totaled 0.85 inches, which is 0.04 inches above normal.
Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions improved slightly this week. Topsoil moisture is now rated 8% very short, 42% short, 46% adequate, and 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture is rated 10% very short, 44% short, 45% adequate, and 1% surplus.
Farmers made good progress with fieldwork this week, averaging 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork out of a possible seven. Primary activities included stripping tobacco, seeding winter wheat, and harvesting grain.
The fall harvest is progressing well. Eighty-five percent of the corn crop has been harvested, and 90% of the soybean crop is dropping leaves. Sixty-two percent of the soybean crop has been harvested. The harvest has slowed in some areas due to sufficient rainfall, which has made stem moisture problematic. Forty-five percent of the tobacco crop has been stripped. Housed tobacco remains in mostly good condition.
Winter wheat seeding is 50% complete, and 19% of the crop has emerged. Pasture condition is mostly fair but will benefit from the recent rainfall. Livestock condition is mostly good, as temperatures have been mild for the season. Some producers have begun hay supplementation as cool season grasses enter dormancy.
Overall, the agricultural outlook for Kentucky is positive. The recent rainfall will help to improve soil moisture conditions and support the growth of winter wheat and other cool season crops.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ygrek
Categories: Kentucky, Crops