Kentucky experienced below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 1.16 inches, 0.17 inches below normal. Temperatures averaged 49 degrees for the week, 4 degrees below normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 2 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 23 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 3 percent short, 79 percent adequate, and 18 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 2.6 out of a possible seven.
Primary activities for this week included seeding tobacco transplants, planting corn, and preparing fields for the planting season. Persistent precipitation kept farmers out of the fields for much of the week. Temperatures dipped at the end of the week leading to some light snow and freeze. Farmers are spraying whenever weather permits as they do not want to fall behind on planting. There was a very small increase in corn planted as weather stymied progress. Seeding of tobacco transplants continues to track with recent history.
The average height of winter wheat is 12 inches at this juncture. The wheat crop remains in mostly good condition and has avoided major freeze damage. Many farmers have made their second application of nitrogen to wheat. Although pasture condition remains good overall, recent cold weather has been a detriment to regrowth. Some forage is coming up despite the adverse conditions, but progress is slow. The cost of fertilizer is factoring in as farmers are less likely to take on that expense. Thirty percent of apples are blooming at this time while peaches are 29 percent blooming. Some blueberries are emerging on early varieties.
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Tobacco