The rain and storms have continued across Kentucky, causing more problems for farmers as some crops are showing the effects of too much moisture. According to information from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Kentucky field office, corn rust and other disease issues are beginning to show up.

Hay producers have had difficulty getting their second cutting complete because of the excess rain, while some low-lying areas have been underwater, causing damage to other crops. There have also been instances of wind damage to some tobacco.

In fact, tobacco across the state has seen a decline in condition. NASS rated the crop as 5 percent very poor, 11 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 50 percent good and only 8 percent excellent. The USDA estimates state burley tobacco to be about 62,000 acres. If this number holds, it would represent a decrease of 14,000 from last year’s crop.

The corn crop is faring better, condition-wise, with only 3 percent rated as being poor. As of the July 20 NASS report, 14 percent of corn was listed as fair, 60 percent good and 22 percent excellent. Kentucky’s corn crop is estimated at 1.4 million acres, down 120,000 from 2014, according to USDA estimates.

Soybean conditions were similar to that of corn. The crop was rated as being 5 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 60 percent good and 14 percent excellent. This year’s soybean crop is estimated to be 1.85 million acres, an increase of 90,000 from 2014.

Pasture conditions remain good, overall. The NASS report rated pastures as being 5 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 60 percent good and 17 percent excellent.

In addition to the extra rain received over the last week, temperatures and humidity in many areas reached dangerous levels, elevating the livestock heat stress index into the emergency category.