By Blake Jackson
Kentucky experienced a dry and cool week, with temperatures averaging 7 degrees below normal and precipitation totaling only 0.04 inches. This follows a period of heavy rainfall from Hurricane Helene.
Soil moisture conditions remain short to adequate, with topsoil moisture rated at 12% very short, 30% short, 57% adequate, and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture is similarly rated at 11% very short, 30% short, 58% adequate, and 1% surplus.
Despite the dry weather, fieldwork remained active, with 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork out of a possible seven. Farmers focused on stripping tobacco, seeding winter wheat, and harvesting grain.
The grain harvest continued steadily, with 82% of corn now harvested. Soybean harvesting reached 54%, and 91% of soybeans were dropping leaves.
However, the dry conditions have negatively impacted the curing process of housed tobacco, which is now 37% stripped, slightly ahead of last year and the five-year average.
Winter wheat seeding reached 35%, with 12% of the crop emerged. Pastures are struggling due to the dry weather, and many farmers have started supplementing with hay early.
Cooler temperatures will further hinder pasture regrowth, adding pressure to already limited hay supplies.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-steve-greer
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Tobacco