Kentucky experienced near normal temperatures and below normal rainfall over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 0.12 inches, 0.66 inches below normal. Temperatures averaged 75 degrees for the week, near normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 4 percent very short, 23 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 3 percent very short, 20 percent short, 73 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 6.4 out of a possible seven.
Primary activities for this week included cutting hay along with cutting and topping tobacco. Mostly dry weather across the state allowed farmers to make strong progress. There were some scattered showers, but they were not widespread. Ninety-five percent of corn is in the milk stage while 81 percent of the crop is doughing. Sixty-nine percent of corn is denting at this juncture with 22 percent of the crop mature. The corn harvest has begun and will pick up pace in the coming weeks. Corn condition remains fairly steady following drought earlier in the season. Ninety-five percent of soybeans are blooming with 84 percent of the crop setting pods. Twenty-five percent of the beans in the state are coloring. Four percent of beans are now dropping leaves. Soybean condition continues to be mostly fair overall. Tobacco is 95 percent blooming at this time as 84 percent of the crop has been topped. The tobacco harvest is 33 percent complete. The condition of tobacco remains mostly good.
Pastures remain mostly good, however overall condition has deteriorated slightly as the ground is drying out once again. The condition of harvested hay is mostly good, but there are many reports of low yields. There is some concern for hay stocks looking ahead to the winter months. Some producers have decreased herds in anticipation of a hay shortage. These poor yields are not statewide as some areas have received the necessary rain and have produced very good yields.
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Hay & Forage