Crop Condition and Progress

USDA-NASS: Kentucky experienced below normal temperatures and rainfall over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 0.00 inches, 1.02 inches below normal. Temperatures averaged 43 degrees for the week, 2 degrees below normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 5 percent short, 89 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 5 percent short, 88 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 5.8 out of a possible seven.

Primary activities for the week included harvesting corn and soybeans along with tobacco stripping. Farmers were finally able to get back in the fields this week as the weather stayed dry and temperatures were relatively mild. With that being said, the harvest of both corn and soybeans remains behind both last year and the five year average due to wet conditions through most of November. The percentage of tobacco stripped is on pace with last year. The current supply of hay and roughage is mostly adequate at this time and will be aided by good pasture conditions. The condition of planted winter wheat was reported as mostly good with seventy six percent of the crop emerged.

96% of corn has been harvested. 86% of soybeans have been harvested.

88% of the wheat crop has been seeded, 76% emerged. 70% of the crop is rated good to excellent.