By Blake Jackson
Kentucky experienced a week of warmer-than-usual temperatures and lighter rainfall, creating mixed conditions for farmers across the state.
Average temperatures reached 63°F, which is four degrees above normal, while weekly rainfall totaled 0.97 inches 0.26 inches below the typical amount for this time of year.
Despite the shortfall in precipitation, soil moisture remains favorable overall. Topsoil moisture was reported as 5% short, 80% adequate, and 15% surplus, while subsoil moisture was rated 3% short, 74% adequate, and 23% surplus.
Farmers had about 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork, allowing limited but valuable opportunities to progress with spring planting. Activities included seeding tobacco transplants and planting corn and soybeans.
Favorable weather windows enabled many producers to push forward when conditions allowed. Notably, April’s cumulative precipitation now ranks as the second highest ever recorded in the state for the month, keeping river bottom areas wet and requiring continued cleanup efforts from earlier flooding.
Tobacco transplanting is well underway, with 77% of seedlings in the ground. Plant conditions remain mostly good, with 60% measuring under two inches tall, 29% between two and four inches, and 11% over four inches.
Winter wheat is 27% headed with an average height of 19 inches, showing some recovery after earlier stress due to heavy rain.
Tree fruit damage from earlier freezes appears moderate. For apples, 1% suffered severe damage, 9% moderate, 34% light, and 56% showed no harm.
Peaches had slightly better outcomes, with only 2% reporting severe damage and 67% showing none.
Pasture conditions are reported as mostly good, and livestock are actively grazing. As temperatures continue to rise, pasture growth and field conditions are expected to improve further, supporting ongoing planting and crop development.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-luc-pouliot
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Tobacco