LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky experienced above normal temperatures and below normal rainfall over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 0.81 inches, 0.18 inches below normal. Temperatures averaged 76 degrees for the week, 1 degree above normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 2 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 25 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 2 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 21 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 4.0 out of a possible seven.
Primary activities this week included cutting hay, planting soybeans, harvesting hay, and spraying fields. Drier conditions allowed for more fieldwork than previous weeks, but the cumulative effects of persistent precipitation so far this season have led to varying impacts. Damage reports included flooding in low lying areas, tobacco scalding from hot and humid conditions, incidences of soybeans rotting before emerging, and hay quality concerns due to over-maturity. The quality of harvested hay was rated 60% in good to excellent condition.
The planting of double crop soybeans continues as significant progress was made in harvesting winter wheat. The average height of emerged soybeans was 11 inches, compared to 12 inches last year.
— USDA, NASS, Kentucky Field Office
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