Overall Condition of Kentucky Soybean Crop Mostly Fair

Kentucky experienced near normal temperatures and below normal rainfall over the past week.

Precipitation for the week totaled 0.40 inches, 0.60 inches below normal. Temperatures averaged 77 degrees for the week, near normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 15 percent very short, 43 percent short, 40 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 22 percent very short, 41 percent short, 36 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 5.9 out of a possible seven.

Primary activities for this week included spraying, cutting hay, topping tobacco, and monitoring field crops. There was some scattered precipitation this past week easing crop stress in some areas. The overall rainfall amount was low and some areas remain very dry. Corn is 66 percent silking while 24 percent of the crop is in the milk stage. Eleven percent of corn is doughing at this juncture. Corn condition has deteriorated some despite recent showers. There are reports of corn twisting as heat and drought have taken a toll. Producers have grown concerned for yields as damage is assessed. Forty-five percent of soybeans are blooming with 16 percent of the crop setting pods. The overall condition of the soybean crop remains mostly fair, but recent rain should lead to improvement. Tobacco is 24 percent blooming at this time as 4 percent of the crop has been topped. The condition of tobacco continues to be fair to good as irrigation has sustained some fields.

Pasture condition showed a very subtle improvement from recent precipitation, however regrowth is slow. With hot temperatures looming, gains in growth may be stunted. As pasture ground struggles, many cattle producers are supplementing with hay.