LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky experienced well above normal temperatures and above normal rainfall over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 1.23 inches, 0.09 inches above normal. Temperatures averaged 74 degrees for the week, 9 degrees above normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 5 percent short, 83 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 3 percent short, 88 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 5.0 out of a possible seven.
Primary activities this week included planting corn and soybeans, setting tobacco, and spraying fields. Periodic afternoon rainfall postponed fieldwork at times. Tobacco transplant supplies were reported as 2 percent short, 91 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus.
Hay cutting continued this week for areas that experienced good drying conditions, although producers are noting lower yields. Scattered thunderstorms delayed some farmers from fieldwork, mostly in far eastern and western counties where precipitation totals were higher. There are concerns of forages becoming over mature and leading to lower quality, due to rainfall delays in cutting. Spring breeding of cattle is underway.
— USDA, NASS, Kentucky Field Office
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