LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky experienced below normal temperatures and above normal rainfall over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 1.74 inches, 0.70 inches above normal. Temperatures averaged 55 degrees for the week, 3 degrees below normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 4 percent short, 58 percent adequate, and 38 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 5 percent short, 65 percent adequate, and 30 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 4.1 out of a possible seven.
Primary activities for this week included continued planting of corn and soybeans along with seeding of tobacco transplants. Fieldwork was halted in the latter part of the week due to periods of heavy rain. Despite the setback, corn and soybean planting is moving rapidly with both crops substantially ahead of last year and the five year average. The corn crop is 14 percent emerged at this juncture. Soybeans are 3 percent emerged. Eighty-nine percent of tobacco transplants are seeded and remain in mostly good condition. Thirtyseven percent of tobacco transplants were under 2 inches, with 44 percent 2-4 inches, and 19 percent above 4 inches.
The average height of winter wheat was 20 inches with the condition mostly good. Freeze damage to alfalfa and winter wheat from two weeks ago has been assessed at this point. Winter wheat freeze damage was reported as 1 percent severe, 8 percent moderate, 23 percent light, and 68 percent with no damage. Alfalfa freeze damage was reported as 1 percent severe, 10 percent moderate, 27 percent light, and 62 percent with no damage. The average height of alfalfa is 10 inches at this time. Both peaches and apples suffered some damage from the freeze two weeks ago. Apple damage was reported as 10 percent severe, 36 percent moderate, 17 percent light, and 37 percent with no damage. Freeze damage to peaches was reported as 27 percent severe, 16 percent moderate, 15 percent light, and 42 percent with no damage.
— USDA, NASS, Kentucky Field Office
For more news from Kentucky, click here.