For the last two weeks, Kentucky has experienced above-normal rainfall, a blessing for farmers who desperately needed the rain no matter what they are growing. In fact, the state has seen above-normal precipitation for four of the last five weeks, although it was spotty across the region.

The latest information from the NASS Kentucky field office reported on average, precipitation in the state was nearly a half-inch above normal for the third week of August, while temperatures averaged 4 degrees below normal – a combination that has especially benefited corn growers.

The NASS report, dated Aug. 18, indicated corn conditions to be 5 percent very poor, 13 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 46 percent good and 12 percent excellent. These percentages represent a slight upturn from conditions a week earlier.

Six percent of the corn crop had reached the mature stage, according to NASS, which is slightly behind the five-year average of 12 percent.

Soybean producers are more optimistic now that some moisture has fallen and crop conditions are reflecting the change in weather conditions. The crop is listed as being 5 percent very poor, 10 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 48 percent good and 11 percent excellent.

The tobacco harvest is picking up speed, as 16 percent of the crop had been cut as of last week. Many producers are reporting good crop conditions, especially with the moisture that has moved through the area.

NASS reported tobacco to be 2 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 53 percent good and 16 percent excellent.

While pasture conditions have also improved, it’s still nothing to get excited about, as livestock producers have begun to get into their winter hay supplies.

The latest NASS report listed them as being 6 percent very poor, 15 percent poor, 35 percent fair, 38 percent good and 6 percent excellent.