It was beautiful, but unfortunately rain-free across Kentucky last week. Only five weather stations had any measurable precipitation for the week. Topsoil moisture was rated as 36 percent very short, 31 percent short, 32 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated as 37 percent very short, 31 percent short and 32 percent adequate. There were 6.4 days out of a possible 7 that were suitable for fieldwork. Main farm activities last week included topping, cutting and housing tobacco, shelling corn and other general farm work.
Corn harvest is ahead of schedule at 12 percent, compared to 5 percent for the five year average. Sixty-five percent of the corn acreage was considered mature, well ahead of the 17 percent for the previous year and the five year average of 42 percent. Eighty-seven percent of the corn acreage was in the dent stage, running ahead of both the previous year at 66 percent and the five year average of 81 percent. Corn dough was 99 percent, ahead of the 83 percent for 2009 and the five year average of 94 percent. Condition of the corn crop was rated 7 percent very poor, 16 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 38 percent good, and 6 percent excellent. Ninety-seven percent of the soybeans were setting pods, ahead of both last year and the five year average at 86 and 85 percent, respectively. Fifteen percent of soybeans were shedding leaves, compared to 3 percent last year, and 5 percent for the five year average. Soybean crop condition was reported as 13 percent very poor, 22 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 24 percent good, and 7 percent excellent.
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