Crop planting still far behind last year

USDA, NASS, Kentucky Field Office

According to the USDA's Kentucky Weekly Crop and Weather Report, planting progress across Kentucky was slowed due to heavy rainfall in the second half of the week. Precipitation amounts were higher in the western and southern regions of the state.

At Princeton, the nearest University of Kentucky Agricultural Weather Center data station, 1.07 inches of rain fell. The annual total is 22.62 inches, 0.97 above normal.

Temperature for the week averaged 66 degrees across the state, near normal. At Princeton, the average mercury for the week was 71 degrees, 1 degree higher than normal.

Crop progress, conditions
As of Sunday, corn planting was 74 percent complete, trailing both last year at 100 percent and the five year average of 86 percent, the weekly report reflects. The corn crop was 49 percent emerged compared to 95 percent last year and the five year average of 72 percent. Condition of the corn crop was rated as 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 63 percent good, and 11 percent excellent.

Soybean planting reached 14 percent complete, according to the report. Planting progress trails last year at 68 percent and the five year average of 36 percent. The soybean crop is 3 percent emerged compared to 50 percent last year and the five year average of 21 percent.

Condition of the winter wheat crop was rated 1 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 10 percent fair, 61 percent good, and 27 percent excellent. The expected date for the winter wheat harvest to begin is June 14.

Pasture condition was reported as 3 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 54 percent good, and 19 percent excellent.