Until last week’s rains moved through the area, much of the state was in need of moisture, despite a wetter-than-normal spring. In fact, more than 65 percent of Kentucky is considered to be abnormally dry, according to the latest information from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Scattered showers were expected through last weekend with a better chance seen by the first of the week. Most of the dry area is confined to the central and eastern portions of the state.

Farmers have taken advantage of the dry spell by catching up on planting. As of the May 26 report from the NASS Kentucky field office, 91 percent of the state’s corn crop had been planted. That is ahead of the five-year average of 83 percent and slightly ahead of last year when, at the same time, 85 percent of the crop was in the field.

Seventy-one percent of the corn has emerged, with crop conditions favorable at this point in the season. The NASS listed Kentucky corn as being 12 percent fair, 67 percent good and 18 percent excellent.

Soybean planting is moving along with 40 percent of the crop planted, according to NASS. This represents a marked increase over last year at this point in the season when only a quarter of the crop had made it into the ground.

Set tobacco is nearing the halfway point with 44 percent set by May 26. Progress is well ahead of the five-year average of 30 percent.

Crop conditions for strawberries and winter wheat were good for the most part. The strawberry crop was listed by NASS as being 17 percent fair, 67 percent good and 8 percent excellent. A few patches were affected by March frosts but most crops escaped any damage.

Wheat conditions were reported to be 14 percent fair, 60 percent good and 20 percent excellent. Pasture conditions were mostly fair to excellent, and some farmers are in the midst of their first hay cutting of the season.