Kentucky experienced above normal temperatures and rainfall over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 0.93 inches, 0.12 inches above normal. Temperatures averaged 70 degrees for the week, 7 degrees above normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 13 percent short, 83 percent, adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 2 percent very short, 15 percent short, 79 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 5.7 out of a possible seven.
Primary activities for this week included harvesting tobacco, corn, and soybeans. Farmers made strong headway this past week as conducive weather prevailed. That progress was stymied by the weekend as widespread precipitation moved in. Both corn and soybeans continue to be in mostly good condition. With most of the tobacco crop cut at this point, housed tobacco is in mostly good condition. Tobacco houseburn was reported as 1 percent moderate, 8 percent light, and 91 percent with none.
Pasture condition is mostly good, however heavy rain over the weekend may cause some damage due to livestock traffic. Also, as nighttime temperatures cool, growth will slow. Livestock are in good overall condition at this time. Hay supplies were reported as 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 15 percent surplus. There have been multiple reports of poor hay quality causing concern for livestock producers. A combination of weather and pest issues were cited as the impetus for the reduced quality. Winter wheat planting has begun and will move steadily forward.
Categories: Kentucky, Harvesting