LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky experienced well above normal temperatures and above normal rainfall over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 1.62 inches, 0.54 inches above normal. Temperatures averaged 68 degrees for the week, 8 degrees above normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 1 percent short, 69 percent adequate and 30 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 24 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 4.0 out of a possible seven.
Primary activities this week included planting corn and soybeans, preparing fields, and working cattle. Soils remain saturated throughout the state from the overall wet spring and recent showers and storms. Farmers continue to make progress in planting corn and soybeans, but timing has been an issue with monitoring precipitation forecasts and field conditions. Wheat producers began to make fungicide applications and some early hay fields were cut this past week. Cattle body condition remains of concern coming out of the winter months, as producers expect a delay in putting weight back on. As a result, calving intervals are expected to be impacted.
Tobacco transplant supplies were reported as 3 percent short, 93 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Twenty-one percent of tobacco transplants were under 2 inches, with 49 percent between 2-4 inches, and 30 percent over 4 inches.
— USDA, NASS, Kentucky Field Office
For more news from Kentucky, click here.