In a season that started on the dry side, the last month has been one of the wettest on record, rescuing many corn and soybean fields throughout the state. If there is a downside to the moisture, it would be for those trying to harvest hay or cut tobacco. The rain has slowed both activities.

According to information from the Kentucky Mesonet weather data system, some areas of the state received nearly 9 inches of rain last month. Despite those numbers, the far western portion of Kentucky remains in a moderate drought, noted the latest information from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Luckily crop conditions continue to trend upward after a low point in early August. The most recent NASS Kentucky field office report made note of that. Kentucky’s crop stood at 4 percent very poor, 11 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 48 percent good and 14 percent excellent.

At this point in the season, 34 percent of the corn crop has reached the mature stage, slightly behind the five-year average but well ahead of last year’s crop. NASS reported some corn harvesting has taken place, mostly from early corn planted in western Kentucky or for silage.

Soybean crop conditions continue to improve. As of the week ending Aug. 31, NASS listed the crop as being 2 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 48 percent good and 13 percent excellent.

Kentucky’s tobacco crop remains in good condition, as 37 percent of the crop has been harvested. NASS listed the crop as being 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 53 percent good and 19 percent excellent.

The rain has helped pasture conditions continue an upward trend, condition-wise. Last week pastures were listed as 4 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 35 percent fair, 41 percent good and 8 percent excellent.