LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky experienced below normal temperatures and precipitation over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 0.31 inches, 0.73 inches below normal. Temperatures averaged 39 degrees for the week, 5 degrees below normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 6 percent short, 81 percent adequate, and 13 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 82 percent adequate, and 10 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 4.5 out of a possible seven.
Primary activities for this week included harvesting soybeans, stripping tobacco, and seeding winter wheat. Fieldwork progress moved steadily forward as farmers were faced with mostly cold, dry conditions. Rain moved in for Thanksgiving and quickly moved out again allowing farmers to return to their work. Soybean harvest continues to trail last year and the five year average. Tobacco stripping continues, but is behind last year at this point in the season. Although pasture condition remains mostly good, cold conditions are limiting regrowth. As farmers consider hay stocks, supplies are rated as mostly adequate. Livestock condition is mostly good despite fairly harsh temperatures recently. Winter wheat is in mostly good condition as the majority of the crop has been planted. Wheat previously planted continues to emerge.
— USDA, NASS, Kentucky Field Office