Kentucky
Planting conditions were quite different at the end of last month as opposed to the beginning which brought flooding throughout much of the state.

Warm, mostly dry summer-like weather blanketed Kentucky allowing farmers to advance in their planting endeavors.

According to the last May crop report issued by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Kentucky Field Office the week was the warmest so far this year with temperatures averaging 74 degrees F., 5 degrees above normal. Total precipitation for the week was .26 of an inch, .80 of an inch below normal.
For those producers waiting for their fields to dry out enough to replant any corn damaged in the floods, they finally got their chance.

NASS reported that “98 percent of intended acreage planted, slightly higher than the five-year average of 94 percent. Ninety-four percent of the corn had emerged compared with the five-year average of 86 percent. Corn not affected by the excessive rainfall appears to be doing well. The average emerged corn height was 14 inches, with the most advanced height at 26 inches.”

Soybeans stood at 64 percent complete, ahead of the 45 percent reported from the previous week and the five-year average of 53 percent.

As of Sunday, May 30, 43 percent of the soybeans planted had emerged, ahead of the five-year average of 34 percent, according to the report.

Burley tobacco setting was progressing but still behind five-year averages. As of the end of May, 45 percent of the state’s burley had been set, off the five-year average of 55 percent. Dark tobacco was a bit ahead of those figures with half the state’s crop in the ground, right at the five-year average of 49 percent. The NASS reported the condition of set tobacco was 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 63 percent good and 10 percent excellent.

By Tim Thornberry
Kentucky Correspondent

Illinois
Precipitation has caused problems in Illinois this planting season. The Illinois NASS office reported on June 1 isolated showers, some heavy at times. Even so, some producers were able to get back into the fields to replant corn and soybeans wiped out by earlier ponding.

Although temperatures have dropped into the more seasonable range since, most of the state experienced above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation for the end of May. Temperatures averaged 75.4 degrees F., 9.6 degrees above normal. Statewide precipitation averaged .64 of an inch, .40 of an inch below normal, with 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork.

Corn and soybean emergence is reported above the five-year averages. Corn was reportedly 94 percent emerged; with the five-year average being only 82 percent. Corn in the northeast portion of the state seems to be the slowest, with only 75 percent emerged. All other portions of the state are above 90 percent.
Soybeans were reported at 49 percent emergent; just above the five-year average of 45 percent. Figures around Illinois vary anywhere from 31 percent emerged in the southwest to 69 percent in the area the NASS calls west southwest.

NASS reported winter wheat is 94 percent headed, 62 percent filled and 21 percent of the crop is turning yellow.

Although the NASS has yet to report on the affects, areas of central Illinois were affected by tornadoes on June 5.

By Deborah Behrends
Illinois Correspondent

Tennessee
The rain that has plagued many farmers and flooded sections of Tennessee appear to be leaving. However, some areas still suffered showers that made it hard to plant crops or cut hay while other farmers were waiting for their land to dry out before they could start planting crops, according to the weather report from Tennessee’s NASS office.

“Soybean planting continues to progress slowly, particularly in river bottoms as they continue to be slow to drain and dry since the Mississippi River and the Obion Rivers are still up,” reported Dyer County Agent Tim Campbell.

“Cotton planting is considered done. Corn that was not affected by floodwaters is progressing well. Essentially all wheat acres that weren’t damaged from flooding are turning color. Seeing wheat scab scattered in some fields.”

For farmers in Fayette County, it’s been the best of times and the worst of times, said agent Jeffery D. Via.

“The farmers in Fayette County have been busy planting cotton and beans and running from afternoon showers that develop. Parts of the county may get hit and others nothing. Some fields are too wet, and some could use a shower. Crops look better with the drier conditions,” Via explained.

While the first cutting of hay was short because of flooding and thunderstorms, planting of crops appears to be getting back to normal in Decatur County, said agent Steve Glass. “Farmers got back to planting soybeans, cutting hay, and trying to decide about replanting flooded cornfields this week,” he reported.

According to NASS, there were five days suitable for fieldwork during the last week in May. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 7 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 20 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 1 percent very short, 5 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 20 percent surplus.

Temperatures averaged around 5 degrees above normal across the state.

Precipitation levels were mostly below normal and varied widely from one location to the next within a relatively small area, NASS reported.

Crop conditions were mostly rated good, according to NASS, and county agents in Middle and East Tennessee agreed. “Hay cutting is finally under way. Tobacco transplanters have been in the field most of the week. Tobacco transplants in greenhouses are holding well in spite of the delay in setting due to wet field conditions this month. Strawberry harvest is winding to a close and growers have reported good yields,” said Paul Hart of Robertson County
“Corn made a big jump this week with warmer night temperatures. Sugarcane beetle have damaged a few fields and a few producers have treated for the pest, mainly in fields planted behind pasture and bottom soils with good moisture. For the most part the crop is off to the best start in five years,” said Ed Burns, Franklin County agent.

Mannie Bedford, Hamblen County agent, said his county could use some rain. “Lots of hay was baled this week with good yields - quality is highly variable. Our area has missed many of the recent rains and could use some additional moisture, especially the areas with shallow upland soils,” Bedford said.

By Tesa Nauman
Tennessee Correspondent