By Blake Jackson
Kentucky farmers are making significant progress after a challenging spring season characterized by excessive rain. While the past week brought much-needed dryness, temperatures remained slightly cooler than average.
Rainfall totaled only 0.03 inches, well below the typical 1.08 inches for the period. This dryness allowed farmers to catch up on fieldwork activities like planting corn, soybeans, and tobacco. With an average of 6.1 suitable workdays last week, progress was swift.
Corn planting is nearing completion, with 87% emerged. However, some areas hit by heavy rain earlier require replanting and still struggle with ponding. The average corn height is 31 inches.
Soybeans are also catching up, with 78% planted and 65% emerged. Despite weather challenges, both corn and soybean health remain mostly good.
Tobacco planting, at 75% complete, lags behind both last year's numbers and the five-year average. Set tobacco averages 9 inches in height and is in mostly good condition. However, reports indicate significant variation in plant height across the state due to the uneven rainfall patterns in May and early June.
Winter wheat harvest is well underway, with 97% coloring and 77% mature. While the condition is mostly good, concerns linger about grain quality due to the persistent wet weather.
Even with the recent heatwave, pastures remain mostly good. Drier weather may even improve some pastures as it allows for recovery from livestock traffic damage caused by the earlier wet conditions. Hay cutting progress saw a significant jump to 77% complete, thanks to the favorable weather last week.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-wiyadaa
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Weather