By Blake Jackson
Kentucky experienced below-average temperatures and rainfall during the past week, exacerbating drought concerns.
Precipitation totaled 0.21 inches, significantly below the normal 0.78 inches. Temperatures averaged 69 degrees, 4 degrees cooler than normal.
Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions deteriorated, with short and very short categories increasing.
Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 6.7 out of seven, allowing farmers to make progress on corn harvesting, tobacco topping and cutting, and other tasks.
Scattered precipitation moved in over the weekend, but many areas remained dry. The lack of rainfall has stressed crops, particularly late-season soybeans.
Corn harvest has begun in earnest, while soybean harvest is underway but only 3% of the crop is out of the fields.
Despite drought conditions, corn and soybean conditions remain predominantly good. Tobacco cutting increased substantially due to favorable weather, but housed tobacco is in fair condition due to suboptimal curing conditions.
Pasture conditions have declined due to the drought, forcing farmers to supplement with hay. The need for rain for pasture regrowth is urgent.
Crop progress for the week ending September 8th includes:
- Corn: 95% dough stage, 88% dent stage, 67% mature, 22% harvested
- Soybeans: 95% setting pods, 59% coloring, 29% dropping leaves, 3% harvested
- Tobacco: 96% topped, 63% cut
Kentucky farmers are closely monitoring the situation and adapting their practices to mitigate the impacts of drought on their crops.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-frankoppermann
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Tobacco, Weather