Kentucky experienced above normal temperatures and rainfall over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 1.39 inches, 0.43 inches above normal. Temperatures averaged 80 degrees for the week, 3 degrees above normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 13 percent very short, 43 percent short, 41 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 14 percent very short, 42 percent short, 42 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 5.8 out of a possible seven.
Primary activities for this week included spraying, cutting hay, topping tobacco, and monitoring field crops. A good portion of the state received much needed rain this past week. The exception would be the western part of the state which remains very dry. In this area of the state, drought is being exacerbated by intense heat. Corn is 76 percent silking while 41 percent of the crop is in the milk stage. Twenty-four percent of corn is doughing at this juncture with 4 percent in the dent stage. Corn condition continues to decline as the western portion of the state battles drought. There is growing concern for yields as the adverse weather has disrupted pollination. There have been many reports of possible low yielding corn and fear that even recent rain won't do much to improve the crop at this point. It is of note that late planted corn has been helped by recent rain in some areas. Fifty-nine percent of soybeans are blooming with 31 percent of the crop setting pods. The overall condition of the soybean crop has improved slightly thanks to recent precipitation. With that said, some soybeans have a poor stand as heat and drought have taken a toll. Tobacco is 42 percent blooming at this time as 16 percent of the crop has been topped. The condition of tobacco remains fair as many producers have irrigated to mitigate damage from drought.
Pasture condition improved slightly with recent rain. Regrowth is still slow and hay is being used to supplement grazing. In addition to feeding hay, many cattle producers have been relegated to alternate water sources with ponds getting low. Second hay cuttings have been low yielding in areas that are very dry.
Categories: Kentucky, Weather