FRANKFORT, Ky. — For production, it would be difficult for Kentucky farmers to beat what they did last year – soybean and corn production reached record levels, while tobacco prices rose to pre-quota buyout levels.

Wheat producers also harvested a record crop and, by year’s end, Kentucky agriculture cash receipts flirted with the $6 billion mark for the first time. A repeat performance this year is not expected, but so far crop conditions have kept pace with 2013, and the latest USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service information note an increase in planted acres of corn and soybeans.

The report released at the end of June made mention soybeans planted in Kentucky were estimated at 1.7 million acres, up 50,000 from 2013, and acreage planted to corn was estimated at 1.55 million acres, up 20,000 from last year.

Nationally, soybean production increased by 3 percent over 2013, when the third-highest production level on record was realized. But corn acres similarly fell by 3 percent across the country. An abnormally dry late spring was threatening corn producers at a critical time in the season but rain spread across most of Kentucky last week, which came at just the right time.

"We often talk about million-dollar rains, and this would have been a $100 million rain in terms of when it came in," said Chad Lee, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment grain crop specialist.

He added much of the state’s corn was trying to pollinate and needed the moisture to ensure successful pollination. "These rains came at a wonderful time for a lot of the crop," said Lee. He also said everything is shaping up well, at this point, for a good soybean crop.

The Kentucky Mesonet weather data system recorded anywhere from trace amounts of precipitation to over 2 inches of rain in certain areas last week. For tobacco producers, the rain was also welcome even though the crop usually fares well in drier conditions.

Todd Clark, a producer from Fayette County, said so far, so good with his 50 acres of tobacco.

"There was concern early about a shortage of plants, but in the end and to my knowledge I think there was a surplus," he said. "Once we got past that, at least in my area, we had pretty good weather to get it transplanted."

Clark did say the crop could use some rain. His wish came true over the weekend as light showers covered the area last Friday through Sunday. "Tobacco likes it dry, but we are getting to the point where some of the earlier-set tobacco needed some rain at topping time. As a general rule, we got enough rain to keep us going."

There have been some producers who have begun an irrigation regimen for tobacco that is ready to top. Clark said disease has not been much of an issue so far and overall, it has been a good start to the growing season.

Whether this will be a bumper crop is anyone’s guess. Last year yields came in a little light because of a wetter-than-normal summer. Clark has his crop under contract – at least if the yields are near normal. A heavy crop could mean he and other producers have pounds in excess of their contracts.

Clark said if that is the case, he’s not sure whether those companies will purchase the extra poundage or walk away from it. Most experts caution against saying the state is looking at another record year, but if the statistics hold and Mother Nature is kind, 2014 could at least be in the record "neighborhood."