LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky experienced below normal temperatures and rainfall over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 0.17 inches, 0.64 inches below normal. Temperatures averaged 69 degrees for the week, 3 degrees below normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 3 percent very short, 19 percent short, 74 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 3 percent very short, 18 percent short, 74 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 6.3 out of a possible seven.
Primary activities for this week included topping and cutting tobacco along with harvesting corn and soybeans. The corn harvest is in full gear while the soybean harvest is just getting off the ground. With weather conducive to fieldwork through most of the week, farmers made strong headway. Both corn and soybeans continue to be in mostly good condition. Early reports on corn yields have been positive, however much of the crop is still in the ground. Tobacco cutting continues to move steadily with 58 percent of the crop harvested. Both tobacco in the fields and housed are in mostly good condition.
Pasture condition is mostly good after some much needed rain the week prior. Although recent weather has been ideal for hay cutting, some producers are dealing with damage from Army Worms. The damage from these pests has been reported for several weeks now.
— USDA, NASS, Kentucky Field Office
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