LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky experienced slightly above normal temperatures and below normal rainfall over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 0.58 inches, 0.24 inches below normal. Temperatures averaged 50 degrees for the week, 1 degrees above normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 78 percent adequate, and 14 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 13 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 4.9 out of a possible seven.
Primary activities for this week included harvesting corn and soybeans, stripping tobacco, and seeding winter wheat. Farmers pushed ahead with fieldwork early in the week as the weather was warm and dry. By the weekend, temperatures had dropped and widespread rain had moved in. There continues to be reports of very good grain yields, however with rain moving in this past week, the overall picture is not yet clear. As the harvest falls behind for some, weather is becoming a concern. Stripping of tobacco remains on pace with past years and is moving ahead steadily.
Pasture condition has deteriorated slightly, however remains mostly good. Growth is slowing as temperatures drop. Winter wheat planting is pushing ahead as the current crop is in mostly good condition. The wheat crop is steadily emerging.
— USDA, NASS, Kentucky Field Office