Kentucky experienced above normal temperatures and rainfall over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 1.54 inches, 0.48 inches above normal. Temperatures averaged 72 degrees for the week, 1 degree above normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 2 percent very short, 14 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 14 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 5.1 out of a possible seven.
Primary activities for this week included planting soybeans, setting tobacco, spraying, and cutting hay. Despite scattered rain this past week, steady gains were made in the fields. With hot weather looming, farmers are expressing concern for crop stress as the current week progresses.
The corn crop, at 86 percent emerged, remains in mostly good condition. The average height of corn is 18 inches at this juncture. Soybean planting is just behind last year, but ahead of the five year average for this point in the season. Sixty-five percent of the soybean crop has emerged. Although beans are in mostly good condition, there are reports of slug damage to young plants.
Tobacco farmers continue to make significant progress setting and the crop is in overall good condition. The average height of tobacco is 4 inches at this time.
Winter wheat condition declined slightly as eighty-five percent of the crop is now coloring. Forty-five percent of the wheat crop is mature as harvest is set to begin.
Pastures are in good shape, but the hot weather ahead could be detrimental without adequate rain. A good deal of hay has been cut with yields varying.
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Weather