LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky experienced above normal temperatures and precipitation over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 1.95 inches, 0.93 inches above normal. Temperatures averaged 54 degrees for the week, 4 degrees above normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 32 percent adequate and 68 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 40 percent adequate and 60 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 1 out of a possible seven.
Primary activity for this week was seeding of tobacco transplants. Persistent rainfall and cool temperatures statewide have kept farmers from working the fields in preparation for spring planting. The ground is saturated in many areas with some ponding reported in low lying fields. There was very little freeze damage reported for winter wheat and the crop is in mostly good condition at this time. Freeze damage to Alfalfa was not prevalent in the state and was reported as light where it existed.
Livestock operations are looking ahead to spring calving and monitoring the condition of their herds. The condition of livestock was rated as 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 68 percent good, and 7 percent excellent. Approximately 30 percent of feed for cattle and calves was obtained from pastures. The condition of pastures was reported as 6 percent very poor, 13 percent poor, 31 percent fair, 46 percent good, and 4 percent excellent. The muddy conditions and temperature swings have had an effect on cattle according to some producers. Hay supplies are getting short for some farmers as they await spring rejuvenation of pastures. The extremely wet conditions have caused a good deal of damage to some grazing land due to livestock traffic.
— USDA, NASS, Kentucky Field Office
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