By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent

LEXINGTON, Ky. — As the dog days of summer drag on, the state’s crops are feeling the pain, in many cases.

Kentucky has experienced varying amounts of rainfall, with the central and eastern regions being normal or above while the west, where a large portion of the crops are grown, are 3-9 inches below normal, according to the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture Weather Center.

The heat has been another factor and while some temperatures have been nearly record highs, that doesn’t mean the summer as a whole will reach record levels, said UK meteorologist Tom Priddy.

“Simply because a year had a high number of days at or above 90 degrees, doesn’t mean the year was warmer than average,” he said. “In 1921, parts of Kentucky had 107 days at or above 90; 2010 has had more than 50 so far, but we’re still a ways from reaching any kind of record for consecutive heat.”

Priddy added while the weather has had an impact on row crops – along with several periods of livestock heat stress because of high temperatures and heat indices – the state has not had any record temperatures; just a lengthy period of sustained heat.

The U.S. Drought Monitor places several counties in western Kentucky in the “moderate brought” category, which may continue as the state heads toward fall and the traditionally driest period of the year.

The Kentucky Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently released crop yield projections for the 2010 season, with most below those of last year’s. While some of the decline is down to fewer acres planted for harvest, in the case of soybeans and tobacco, weather has affected those yields.

Corn production is expected to be 167 million bushels, a decline of 12 percent from the 2009 record crop. Yield was estimated at 138 bushels per acre, down 27 from last year’s record high yield of 165, according to the report.

The 2009 soybean crop was a record as well, but 2010 production could be off by 21 percent at 53.8 million bushels, with a yield of 39 bushels per acre, down nine from last year.

Burley tobacco production is expected to fall by 15 percent, at 136.5 million pounds, and dark fire-cured tobacco could see a 9 percent decline, at 28.9 million pounds. Dark air-cured tobacco is expected to show a slight increase with 13.9 million pounds.

The NASS report notes for burley producing states, the expected harvest looks to be 91,300 acres, down 10 percent from 2009. If these predictions hold true, this will be the lowest burley acreage on record.

Granted, some producers have been lucky enough to live in a part of the state where timely rains have been beneficial to their crops, but really good news could be for fruit producers. Horticulture crops, such as tomatoes, watermelons, apples, grapes and berries, may taste sweeter this year, according to information from UK.

“These long, hot periods actually speed up maturation, and some horticultural crops will be ready to harvest 10 days to two weeks earlier than normal,” said John Strang, UK extension horticulture specialist. “Growers need to pay close attention to their plants and trees, so they don’t miss harvest times.

“With clear skies and lots of sunshine, many horticultural crops will increase in sugar content, resulting in a much sweeter fruit.”

That is not to say fruit and vegetable producers won’t have their challenges. Strang said tomatoes may not be as red this year because not as much lycopene will be synthesized. He also said vegetables may experience some problems with bloom drop, which results in beans, peppers and even tomatoes not setting.