Kentucky fall harvest continues amid dry conditions

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Kentucky experienced warmer and drier weather than normal last week. The average temperature was 64 degrees, which was 1 degree above normal. Rainfall totaled 0.29 inches, which was 0.54 inches below normal.

Topsoil moisture was rated 10% very short, 34% short, 53% adequate, and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 11% very short, 34% short, 53% adequate, and 2% surplus.

Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 5.9 out of a possible seven. Farmers were primarily cutting tobacco and harvesting corn and soybeans.

As the fall harvest rolls along, conditions remain very dry for most of the state. A warm start to the week gave way to more seasonal weather by the weekend.

Ninety-one percent of corn is mature and 59% of the crop has been harvested. Eighty-four percent of soybeans are coloring and 65% are dropping leaves. Twenty-seven percent of the crop has been harvested. The condition of soybeans continues to be mostly good.

Ninety-six percent of tobacco has been cut and stripping has begun. Housed tobacco remains in mostly good condition. House burn in tobacco is rated as 1% severe, 6% moderate, 46% light, and 47% with none.

Winter wheat seedling is 9% complete and 1% of the crop has emerged.

Pasture condition is mostly fair as dry conditions continue to take a toll. Rain is badly needed to promote regrowth before consistently cold weather settles in. Any last cuttings of hay are underway with varying yields.

In summary, Kentucky experienced warmer and drier weather than normal last week. The fall harvest is progressing, but dry conditions are taking a toll on pastures.