LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky experienced above normal temperatures and rainfall over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 1.13 inches, 0.06 inches above normal. Temperatures averaged 64 degrees for the week, 4 degrees above normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 1 percent short, 73 percent adequate, and 26 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 3 percent short, 78 percent adequate, and 19 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 4.1 out of a possible seven.
Primary activities for this week included planting corn and soybeans along with seeding tobacco transplants. With rain showers halting fieldwork at times during the week, farmers forged ahead with every opportunity. Soybean planting is ahead of where it has been historically at this point in the season. Tobacco transplants are 95 percent seeded, slightly ahead of both last year and the five-year average. The transplants are in mostly good condition at this time with height rated as 23 percent less than 2 inches, 44 percent 2 – 4 inches, and 33 percent larger than 4 inches.
The average height of winter wheat is 23 inches at this time, while 38 percent of the crop has headed. Wheat condition remains mostly good after being assessed for damage from two significant freezes. Current freeze damage for wheat is rated as 2 percent moderate, 17 percent light, and 81 percent with no damage. After a full week of evaluation, alfalfa freeze damage is rated as 1 percent severe, 10 percent moderate, 27 percent light, and 62 percent with no damage. The average height of alfalfa is 13 inches at this time. The current hay supply is rated as 1 percent very short, 10 percent short, 79 percent adequate, and 10 percent surplus. Both peaches and apples have been further observed after the recent snow event. Apple freeze damage is rated as 7 percent severe, 15 percent moderate, 23 percent light, and 55 percent with no damage. Peach freeze damage is rated as 4 percent severe, 11 percent moderate, 17 percent light, and 68 percent with no damage. The strawberry crop is in good overall condition at this juncture of the season.
— USDA, NASS, Kentucky Field Office
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