By Blake Jackson
Kentucky experienced warmer-than-usual temperatures and lower-than-average rainfall during the past week. Total precipitation measured 0.52 inches, which is 0.36 inches below the normal average. Weekly temperatures averaged 48°F, exceeding the typical average by 3°F.
Topsoil moisture levels were rated at 1% very short, 10% short, 78% adequate, and 11% surplus.
Subsoil moisture was reported as 2% very short, 23% short, 66% adequate, and 9% surplus. Farmers had an average of 4.0 days suitable for fieldwork out of the week.
Key farming activities included harvesting soybeans, planting winter wheat, and stripping tobacco. The weather fluctuated significantly, starting with warmer conditions and scattered rainfall early in the week.
Midweek brought a drop in temperatures due to cold fronts, followed by heavy frost and some snowfall, particularly in central and eastern regions. By the weekend, temperatures moderated once again.
Soybean harvesting advanced to 93% completion, while winter wheat planting also reached 93%, with 78% of the crop now emerged.
The condition of winter wheat remains solid, with 79% rated as good or excellent, slightly below the five-year average of 81%.
Pasture conditions declined, with 41% rated good or excellent, compared to 46% the previous week. Following the first heavy frost, many farmers began feeding hay.
Hay and roughage supplies were reported as 6% very short, 20% short, 67% adequate, and 7% surplus. Livestock conditions were mostly favorable, with 67% rated as good and 11% as excellent, while 18% were rated fair.
The following crop progress was noted for the week ending November 24, 2024: soybeans harvested at 93%, tobacco stripped at 71%, winter wheat seeded at 93%, and winter wheat emerged at 78%.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-wiyadaa
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Corn, Soybeans