KENTUCKY CROP AND WEATHER REPORT--USDA 

Listed below are the current USDA Crop & Weather Report/Kentucky Climate Summary 
AND, in addition, previous week's reports for 2003. The reports are produced in 
a joint effort by the UK Ag. Weather Center, Cooperative Extension Service 
County Agents, Farmers across the state, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, and 
the US Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service. 
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Kentucky Climate Summary: For the Period December 22 to 28, 2003 

Above Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Rainfall

Temperatures for the period averaged 39 degrees across the state which was 6 
degrees above normal and 4 degrees warmer than the previous week. High 
temperatures averaged from 50 in the West to 47 in the East. Departure from 
normal high temperatures ranged from 6 degrees above normal in the West to 6 
degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 32 degrees in 
the West to 29 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged 
from 4 degrees above normal in the West to 8 degrees above normal in the East.

Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 0.56 inches statewide which was 
0.40 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.48 
inches, Central 0.56 inches, Bluegrass 0.61 inches and East 0.57 inches, which 
was 0.52, 0.47, 0.25 and 0.35 inches respectively below normal. By station, 
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.00 inches at Hardinsburg to a high 
of 0.94 inches at Louisville. 
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Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period December 15 to 21, 2003

Near Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Precipitation

There was more snow across Kentucky this week. Skies were generally overcast 
during the week as storm systems crossed the area on Tuesday night and Thursday. 
Skies cleared for the weekend, bringing the lowest temperatures of the season on 
Saturday and Sunday morning. However, high temperatures on Sunday were above 
normal due to southerly flow ahead of another storm system. This is the fourth 
consecutive week where temperatures have averaged within one degree from normal. 
This is the third consecutive week of below normal precipitation.

Temperatures for the period averaged 35 degrees across the state which was 0 
degrees from normal and 2 degrees cooler than the previous week. High 
temperatures averaged from 43 in the West to 43 in the East. Departure from 
normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees below normal in the West to 1 
degree below normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 28 degrees in 
the West to 29 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged 
from 1 degree below normal in the West to 6 degrees above normal in the East. 
Extreme highs were in the lower 60's. Extreme lows were in the middle 10's. 

Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 0.50 inches statewide which was 
0.45 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.15 
inches, Central 0.42 inches, Bluegrass 0.75 inches and East 0.69 inches, which 
was 0.85, 0.61, 0.11 and 0.23 inches respectively below normal. By station, 
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.20 inches at Paducah to a high of 
1.06 inches at Quicksand.
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Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period December 8 to 14, 2003

Near Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Precipitation

The week began under high pressure with southerly winds, allowing for 
temperatures to be above normal as highs reached the 50's and 60's. A front 
moved through on Wednesday bringing rain across the state. Temperatures cooled 
off significantly behind the front as temperatures stayed in the 20's and 30's 
through Sunday. The first significant winter storm over the weekend brought 
rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow. After the storm passed, 1-3 inches of snow 
was recorded across Central, Bluegrass, and Eastern Kentucky. This is the third 
consecutive week that temperatures have been near normal. This is the second 
consecutive week that precipitation has been below normal.

Temperatures for the period averaged 37 degrees across the state which was 0 
degrees from normal and 2 degrees cooler than the previous week. High 
temperatures averaged from 43 in the West to 44 in the East. Departure from 
normal high temperatures ranged from 5 degrees below normal in the West to 2 
degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 32 degrees in 
the West to 31 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged 
from 1 degree above normal in the West to 6 degrees above normal in the East. 
Extreme highs were in the lower 60's. Extreme lows were in the upper 10's.

Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 0.85 inches statewide which was 
0.10 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.26 
inches, Central 1.15 inches, Bluegrass 0.93 inches and East 1.05 inches, which 
was -0.75, +0.12, +0.08 and +0.13 inches respectively from normal. By station, 
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.10 inches at Mayfield to a high of 
1.50 inches at Bardstown.
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Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period December 1 to 7, 2003

Near Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Precipitation

High pressure dominated Kentucky at the beginning of the week, which allowed for 
temperatures to remain below normal. A cold front moved across the state on 
Wednesday, but rain and clouds lingered until Friday. Some light snow was 
observed but there was no accumulation. The week ended with mostly clear skies 
and near normal temperatures. Precipitation totals were below average for the 
first time in four weeks. This is the second consecutive week that temperatures 
have averaged one degree below normal. 

Temperatures for the period averaged 39 degrees across the state which was 1 
degree below normal and 2 degrees cooler than the previous week. High 
temperatures averaged from 47 in the West to 44 in the East. Departure from 
normal high temperatures ranged from 5 degrees below normal in the West to 5 
degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 34 degrees in 
the West to 32 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged 
from 1 degree above normal in the West to 5 degrees above normal in the East. 
Extreme highs were in the middle 50's, and extreme lows were in the upper 10's. 

Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 0.47 inches statewide which was 
0.48 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.27 
inches, Central 0.54 inches, Bluegrass 0.50 inches and East 0.57 inches, which 
was 0.73, 0.49, 0.36 and 0.35 inches respectively below normal. By station, 
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.17 inches at Mayfield to a high of 
0.90 inches at Jackson.
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Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period November 24 to 30, 2003

Near Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Precipitation

The week started off cool as a cold front had just crossed the state leaving 
rain showers in the east for Monday. Conditions were dry Tuesday and Wednesday, 
but cold as highs were 5 to 10 degrees below normal. Another front came on 
Thanksgiving and Friday bringing significant rainfall and some snow showers. 
The weekend was dry, and a little bit warmer as highs were in the middle and 
upper 50's by Sunday. This week breaks a five week run of above average 
temperatures. This is the third straight week where precipitation totals have 
been above average. 

Temperatures for the period averaged 41 degrees across the state which was 1 
degree below normal and 17 degrees cooler than the previous week. High 
temperatures averaged from 49 in the West to 49 in the East. Departure from 
normal high temperatures ranged from 6 degrees below normal in the West to 2 
degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 33 degrees in 
the West to 33 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged 
from 1 degree below normal in the West to 3 degrees above normal in the East. 
Extreme highs were in the middle 60's, and extreme lows were in the lower 20's. 

Precipitation for the period totaled 1.70 inches statewide which was 0.78 inches 
above normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 1.91 inches, 
Central 1.87 inches, Bluegrass 1.77 inches and East 1.22 inches, which was 0.91, 
0.91, 0.95 and 0.34 inches respectively above normal. By station, precipitation 
totals ranged from a low of 1.03 inches at Cumberland Gap to a high of 2.56 
inches at Paducah.
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Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period November 17 to 23, 2003

Above Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Precipitation

The week began warm, but rainy. A front moved across Kentucky on Tuesday and 
Wednesday bringing heavy rains and causing some flooding in eastern counties. 
Conditions dried out as high pressure moved into the area early Thursday. Skies 
remained mostly sunny with highs at near record levels in the upper 60's and 
lower 70's through Sunday. Late Sunday a front moved into the western part of 
the state bringing rain, wind, and much colder temperatures. Average 
temperatures have been above normal for 5 consecutive weeks, and this week's 13 
degrees above normal is the greatest departure all year. 

Temperatures for the period averaged 58 degrees across the state which was 13 
degrees above normal and 8 degrees warmer than the previous week. High 
temperatures averaged from 67 in the West to 67 in the East. Departure from 
normal high temperatures ranged from 10 degrees above normal in the West to 13 
degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 49 degrees in 
the West to 46 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged 
from 13 degrees above normal in the West to 14 degrees above normal in the East. 
Extreme highs were in the middle 70's. Extreme lows were in the low 30's.

Rainfall for the period totaled 1.25 inches statewide which was 0.33 inches 
above normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 1.32 inches, Central 
1.14 inches, Bluegrass 1.00 inch and East 1.54 inches, which was 0.33, 0.17, 
0.17 and 0.66 inches respectively above normal. By station, rainfall totals 
ranged from a low of 0.46 inches at Somerset to a high of 1.85 inches at 
Grayson.
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Kentucky Crop Weather
Issued 4:00 P.M., November 17, 2003 JAO 33-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: Scattered rain, heavy at times, together with windy 
conditions and cooler temperatures prevailed throughout the State last week. 
Farmers have mainly been taking down and stripping tobacco as well as harvesting 
corn and soybeans as grain moisture levels permit. Farmers are also continuing 
to sow their winter wheat, work their land for next year’s plantings, and 
working cattle. Topsoil moisture as of Friday, November 14 was 1 percent short, 
65 percent adequate, and 34 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was 1 percent very 
short, 3 percent short, 78 percent adequate, and 18 percent surplus. Days 
suitable for field work averaged 3.6 out of a possible 7 days.

TOBACCO: As of Sunday, November 16, burley tobacco crop was 52 percent stripped. 
This compared to 60 percent last year and 51 percent for the five-year average. 
Favorable humidity from recent rains has enabled tobacco stripping to continue. 
With a good production year, most tobacco growers feel they will make their 
production quota. Farmers have reported that stripped tobacco is tending to 
weigh a little lighter than expected. Quality and color has been reported as 
good. Burley tobacco yield was last estimated as of October 1 at 2,100 pounds. 
This estimate was carried over for November 1. Condition of the stripped tobacco 
was reported as 1 percent very poor, 5 percent short, 22 percent fair, 52 
percent good, and 20 percent excellent.

CORN: Corn harvest was virtually complete with 99 percent of the crop harvested 
on November 16 th . This compared to 100 percent for last year and the five-year 
average. Corn yield as of November 1 was 140 bushels per acre, up 36 bushels 
from the drought reduced 2002 crop and the second largest yield on record. The 
estimated yield was released on November 12 th . The record yield of 142 bushels 
occurred in 2001. Farmers have reported their 2003 crop had good to excellent 
yields with good quality.

SOYBEANS: As of Sunday, November 16, soybean harvest was 90 percent complete 
compared to 80 percent last year at this time and 93 percent for the five-year 
average. Yields have been good to excellent with excellent quality. The soybean 
yield as of November 1 was 43 bushels per acre. This was a record high. The 
previous record was established in 2001.

OTHER CROPS: Winter wheat seeding was 96 percent complete as of November 16. 
This compared to last year’s 80 percent and the five-year average of 93 percent. 
The emerged crop was 1 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 55 
percent good, and 28 percent excellent. Good soil moisture and fair temperatures 
this fall have resulted in good germination and plant growth. Pastures this fall 
have supported good livestock grazing. Condition of pastures were rated as 1 
percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 15 
percent excellent. Kentucky farmers were still reporting their livestock in good 
to excellent condition.

Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period November 10 to 16, 2003

Above Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Precipitation 

The week started off on the cool side with the last freeze warnings of the 
season being issued for Monday night. High temperatures were in the upper 60's 
on Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of a strong low pressure system. However, 
conditions were wet as many locales received well over an inch of rain causing 
flood warnings to be issued for eastern counties. Highs winds were a problem on 
Thursday as gusts approached 40 mph. Temperatures also cooled down significantly 
into the middle 20's Friday morning. More rain had entered the state by Friday 
night and cloudy wet weather lingered through the weekend. The rainy weather 
allowed the rainfall to be well above normal for the first time in the past 
seven weeks. Temperatures remained above normal for the 4th consecutive week.

Temperatures for the period averaged 50 degrees across the state which was 2 
degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 58 in the West to 56 in the 
East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees below normal 
in the West to 0 degrees from normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged 
from 44 degrees in the West to 42 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low 
temperature ranged from 5 degrees above normal in the West to 7 degrees above 
normal in the East. Extreme highs were in the middle 70's, and extreme lows were in
the middle 20's.

Rainfall for the period totaled 1.61 inches statewide which was 0.69 inches 
above normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 1.20 inches, Central 
1.90 inches, Bluegrass 1.76 inches and East 1.56 inches, which was 0.21, 0.94, 
0.94 and 0.68 inches respectively above normal. By station, rainfall totals 
ranged from a low of 0.70 inches at Mayfield to a high of 2.72 inches at 
Hardinsburg.
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Kentucky Crop Weather
Issued 4:00 P.M., November 10, 2003 JAO 33-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: The week started off favorably for harvesting with relatively 
warm temperatures, but ended cold after mid-week rain. Temperatures for the 
period averaged 53 degrees across the State which was 3 degrees above normal. 
Precipitation averaged 0.83 inches for the week which was 0.08 inches below 
normal. Major farm activities for the week were tobacco stripping, fall tillage 
work, winter wheat planting, and completing corn and soybean harvest. Topsoil 
moisture as of Friday, November 7, was rated 6 percent short, 75 percent 
adequate, and 19 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very 
short, 5 percent short, 85 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus. Days 
suitable for fieldwork averaged 4.3 out of a possible seven.

TOBACCO: As of Sunday, November 9, burley tobacco was 36 percent stripped. This 
compared with 47 percent last year and a five-year average of 40 percent. Moist 
conditions enabled tobacco stripping to continue throughout the week with 
producers reporting good to excellent quality and weight. Most producers feel 
that they will make their quota. As of Friday, November 7, the quality of 
stripped tobacco condition was reported as 5 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 47 
percent good, and 16 percent excellent.

CORN: Corn harvest was virtually complete throughout the State as of Sunday, 
November 9. Overall, 97 percent of the corn crop had been harvested, compared to 
99 percent the previous year, and 95 percent for the five-year average. Many 
producers have reported excellent yields ranging from 130 to 150 bushels.

SOYBEANS: As of Sunday, November 9, soybean harvest had reached 85 percent 
complete. This compared to 69 percent last season, and the five-year average of 
87 percent. Farmers are reporting good to excellent yields ranging from 30 to 60 
bushels. Double crop beans have also been reported in good condition.

OTHER CROPS: Winter wheat seeding was 91 percent complete as of Sunday, November 
9. This compared to 67 percent for 2002 and the five-year average of 86 percent. 
Farmers are reporting excellent germination and growth due to the warm 
temperatures and adequate soil moisture. Fall seeded wheat condition was rated 
at 2 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 59 percent good, and 26 percent excellent. 
Pasture condition was rated as 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 22 percent 
fair, 57 percent good, and 16 percent excellent. Farmers have reported adequate 
hay and water supplies for the winter. Kentucky farmers also report the State’s 
livestock were in good to excellent condition.

Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period November 3 to 9, 2003

Above Normal Temperatures and Near Normal Precipitation

The past week opened with early summer like weather as highs were in the upper 
70's and lower 80's on Monday and Tuesday. Record highs were set across the 
state. A cold front moved across the state on Wednesday and Thursday bringing 
rain and much colder temperatures. High pressure dominated Kentucky by the end 
of the week, where highs and lows were about 10 degrees below normal. Lows on 
Friday and Saturday night were near or below 32 degrees allowing for a freeze 
and widespread frost.

Temperatures for the period averaged 53 degrees across the state which was 3 
degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 60 in the West to 64 in 
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees below 
normal in the West to 5 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures 
averaged from 43 degrees in the West to 47 degrees in the East. Departure from 
normal low temperature ranged from 1 degree above normal in the West to 9 
degrees above normal in the East. Extreme highs were in the lower 80's, and 
extreme lows were in the upper 20's. 

Rainfall for the period totaled 0.83 inches statewide which was 0.08 inches 
below normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 0.33 inches, Central 
0.74 inches, Bluegrass 0.67 inches and East 1.59 inches, which was -0.67, -0.23, 
-0.16 and +0.71 inches respectively from normal. By station, rainfall totals 
ranged from a low of 0.15 inches at Mayfield to a high of 1.69 inches at 
Grayson and Buckhorn Lake.
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Kentucky Crop Weather 
Issued 4:00 P.M., November 3, 2003 JAO 32-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: The week started off cold and windy but ended favorably with 
relatively warm temperatures. Temperatures for the period averaged 58 degrees 
across the State which was 6 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.38 
inches for the week which was 0.35 inches below normal. Major farm activities 
for the week were tobacco stripping, fall tillage work, sowing winter wheat, and 
completing corn and soybean harvest. Topsoil moisture as of Friday, October 31 
was rated 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 11 
percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 8 percent 
short, 85 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork 
averaged 4.9 out of a possible seven.

TOBACCO: As of Sunday, November 2, burley tobacco was 29 percent stripped. This 
compared with 39 percent last year and a five-year average of 31 percent. 
Tobacco stripping continued throughout the week with producers reporting good to 
excellent quality and weight. Producers also are reporting good color in early 
cut tobacco. As of Friday, October 31, the quality of stripped tobacco condition 
was reported as 4 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 54 percent good, and 14 percent 
excellent.

CORN: Corn harvest had reached 95 percent complete as of Sunday, November 2. 
This compared to 96 percent the previous year, and 97 percent for the five-year 
average. Many producers have reported excellent yields ranging from 130 to 150 
bushels.

SOYBEANS: As of Sunday, November 2, soybean harvest had reached 68 percent 
complete. This compared to 60 percent last season, and the five-year average of 
79 percent. Farmers are reporting good to excellent yields with little frost 
damage to late maturing soybeans. Double crop beans have also been reported in 
good condition.

OTHER CROPS: Winter wheat seeding was 80 percent complete as of Sunday, November 
2. This compared to 60 percent for 2002 and the five-year average of 77 percent. 
Farmers are reporting excellent germination and growth due to the warm 
temperatures and adequate soil moisture. Fall seeded wheat condition was rated 
at 1 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 58 percent good, and 21 percent excellent. 
Pasture condition was rated as 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 22 percent 
fair, 61 percent good, and 12 percent excellent. Farmers have reported adequate 
hay and water supplies for the winter. Kentucky farmers also report the State’s 
livestock were in good to excellent condition.

Kentucky Weather Summary: For the Period October 27, 2003 to November 2, 2003

Above Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Precipitation

The week began with temperatures below average. After showers moved through 
on Tuesday, a large area of high pressure formed over the southeast part of the 
country. Winds were gusty on Wednesday and Thursday, but they brought warm air 
from the south. This set up kept showers to the north, which allowed mostly sunny 
skies and near-record high temperatures to dominate Kentucky through the 
remainder of the week. 

Temperatures for the period averaged 58 degrees across the state which was 6 
degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 69 in the West to 69 in the 
East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees above normal 
in the West to 7 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged 
from 48 degrees in the West to 46 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low 
temperature ranged from 5 degrees above normal in the West to 6 degrees above 
normal in the East. Extreme highs were in the lower 80's, and extreme lows were
in the lower 30's. 

Rainfall for the period totaled 0.38 inches statewide which was 0.35 inches 
below normal. Rainfall totals by climate division: West 0.09 inches, Central 
0.17 inches, Bluegrass 0.48 inches and East 0.79 inches, which was -0.69, -0.58, 
-0.20 and +0.05 inches respectively from normal. By station, rainfall totals 
ranged from a low of 0.00 inches at Mayfield to a high of 1.21 inches at 
Quicksand.
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Kentucky Crop Weather
Issued 4:00 P.M., October 27, 2003 JAO 31-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: The week started off favorably for harvesting with relatively 
mild temperatures, but ended cold after some weekend rain. Temperatures for the 
period averaged 59 degrees across the State which was 4 above normal. 
Precipitation averaged 0.68 inches for the week which was 0.02 inches above 
normal. Major farm activities last week included stripping tobacco, fall 
tillage, sowing winter wheat, and harvesting corn and soybeans. Topsoil moisture 
as of Friday, October 24, was rated 1 percent very short, 10 percent short, 84 
percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 3 percent 
very short, 10 percent short, 81 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus. Days 
suitable for fieldwork averaged 6 out of a possible seven.

TOBACCO: As of Sunday, October 26, burley tobacco was 20 percent stripped. This 
compared with 26 percent last year and a five-year average of 23 percent. 
Tobacco stripping continued throughout the week with producers reporting good to 
excellent quality and weight. Farmers also continue to monitor the condition of 
hanging tobacco which seems to be curing well and has shown little sign of 
houseburn. As of Friday, October 24, the quality of stripped tobacco condition 
was reported as 3 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 54 percent good, and 17 percent 
excellent.

CORN: Corn harvest had reached 89 percent complete as of Sunday, October 26. 
This compared to 92 percent the previous year, and 94 percent for the five-year 
average. As harvest comes to a close, farmers are reporting good corn crop 
quality and high yields.

SOYBEANS: As of Sunday, October 26, soybean harvest had reached 60 percent 
complete. This compared to 55 percent last season, and the five-year average of 
68 percent. Farmers are reporting better than expected yields with little frost 
damage to late maturing soybeans.

OTHER CROPS: Winter wheat seeding was 65 percent complete as of Sunday, October 
26. This compared to 54 percent for 2002 and the five-year average of 64 
percent. The crop was rated at 2 percent poor, 14 percent fair, 75 percent good, 
and 9 percent excellent.Pasture condition was rated as 2 percent very poor, 4 
percent poor, 21 percent fair, 60 percent good, and 13 percent excellent. About 
95 percent of farmers expect local hay supplies to be adequate for the winter. 
Kentucky farmers also report the State’s livestock being in good to excellent 
condition.

Kentucky Weather Summary: For the Period October 20 to 26, 2003

Above Normal Temperatures and Near Normal Precipitation

Temperatures were above normal this past week because of highs well into the 
70's and some low 80's at the beginning of the week. Temperatures cooled off in 
the middle of the week, allowing for scattered frost Thursday overnight, before a 
slight warm-up on Saturday. Most of the week was dry. The majority of the rain 
came late Saturday and Sunday as a front moved across the state. 

Temperatures for the period averaged 59 degrees across the state which was 4 
degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 72 in the West to 71 in 
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees above 
normal in the West to 6 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures 
averaged from 49 degrees in the West to 48 degrees in the East. Departure from 
normal low temperature ranged from 3 degrees above normal in the West to 5 
degrees above normal in the East. Extreme high temperatures were in the lower 80's.
Extreme low temperatures were in the low 30's.

Rainfall for the period totaled 0.68 inches statewide which was 0.02 inches 
above normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 0.69 inches, Central 
0.96 inches, Bluegrass 0.71 inches and East 0.38 inches, which was 0.00, +0.30, 
+0.08 and -0.30 inches respectively from normal. By station, rainfall totals 
ranged from a low of 0.05 inches at Mayfield to a high of 1.76 inches at 
Princeton.
---
Kentucky Crop Weather
Issued 4:00 P.M., October 20, 2003 JOC 29-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: Despite two rain events, fall harvest continued to 
progress with favorable weather conditions across the State. Temperatures for the week 
averaged 57 degrees, 1 degree below normal. Precipitation for the week totaled 
0.72 inches which was 0.06 inches above normal. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 4.7 
out of seven. Harvesting corn, soybeans, and seeding wheat were the major farm 
activities reported. Topsoil moisture as of Friday, October 17 was rated 1 percent 
very short, 5 percent short, 88 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil 
moisture was rated 1 percent veryshort, 9 percent short, 85 percent adequate, and 
5 percent surplus.

CORN: As of October 19, harvest reached 82 percent complete compared with 89 percent 
last year and the average of 91 percent. Farmers continue to report 
harvested corn being in good condition.Combining was slowed by showers early and late 
in the week. Above average yields continue to be reported statewide.

SOYBEANS: Harvest continues to progress with 33 percent combined, behind the 41 
percent of last year the average of 53 percent. As of Sunday, October 19, 99 percent 
of the acreage had dropped its leaves, the same as in 2002 and just above the 
average of 98 percent. On Friday, October 17,soybean condition was rated 1 percent 
poor, 15 percent fair, 49 percent good and 35 percent excellent.

TOBACCO: As of Sunday, October 19, burley tobacco in the barn was 
reported 15 percent stripped compared with 21 percent last year and an average of 17 
percent. Condition of housed tobacco on Friday, October 17 was reported as 1 
percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 25 percent fair,54 percent good, and 15 percent 
excellent. Conditions were favorable for curing during the week with rain on several 
days providing humidity.

OTHER CROPS: Pastures were rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 22 percent 
fair, 58 percent good, and 17 percent excellent. Livestock condition was rated 
good with favorable fall weather and lush pastures. Winter wheat seeding reached 38 
percent compared with 35 percent last year, and the average of 42 percent. Seeding is 
keeping pace as corn acres are harvested.

Kentucky Weather Summary: For the Period October 13 to 19, 2003

Near Normal Temperatures and Near Normal Rainfall:

Temperatures and rainfall amounts were near normal this past week. The majority 
of the rainfall came on Tuesday when a cold front moved through the state bringing
strong winds behind it. Scattered showers also moved through the state Friday.

Temperatures for the period averaged 57 degrees across the state which was 1 
degree below normal and 8 degrees cooler than the previous week. High 
temperatures averaged from 71 in the West to 67 in the East. Departure from 
normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degree below normal in the West to 1 
degree below normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 45 degrees in 
the West to 46 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged 
from 3 degrees below normal in the West to 1 degree above normal in the East.
Extreme high temperatures were in the upper 70's and extreme low temperatures 
were in the lower 30's. 

Rainfall for the period totaled 0.72 inches statewide which was 0.06 inches 
above normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 0.73 inches, Central 
0.67 inches, Bluegrass 0.60 inches and East 0.89 inches, which was +0.04, +0.01, 
-0.02 and +0.22 inches respectively from normal. By station, rainfall totals 
ranged from a low of 0.14 inches at Williamstown to a high of 1.32 inches at 
London.
---
Kentucky Crop Weather
Issued 4:00 P.M., October 14, 2003 JOC 29-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: Fall harvest made rapid progress due to favorable weather 
across the State. Above average temperatures last week were predominant across 
the State. Temperatures for the week averaged 65 degrees, 5 degrees above 
normal. Precipitation for the week totaled 0.12 inches which was 0.54 inches 
below normal. Days suitable for fie ldwork averaged 5.8 out of seven. Cutting 
and housing tobacco and harvesting corn were the major farm activities reported. 
Topsoil moisture as of Friday, October 10 was rated 1 percent very short, 13 
percent short, 83 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was 
rated 1 percent very short, 15 percent short, 82 percent adequate, and 2
percent surplus.

TOBACCO: As of Sunday, October 12, burley tobacco in the barn was reported 69 
percent not ready for stripping, 25 percent ready for stripping, and 6 percent 
stripped. Condition of housed tobacco on Friday, October 10 was reported as 1 
percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 56 percent
good, and 20 percent excellent.

SOYBEANS: Harvest was gaining momentum with 26 percent combined, the same as 
last year and just behind the average of 37 percent. As of Sunday, October 12, 
99 percent of acreage was dropping leaves compared to 94 percent a year ago and 
the average of 91 percent. On Friday, October 10, soybean condition was rated 2 
percent poor, 15 percent fair, 48 percent good and 35
percent excellent.

CORN: As of October 12, 99 percent of the corn acreage had reached maturity, 
compared with 100 percent for both last year and the 5 year average. Condition 
was reported 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 37 percent 
good, and 37 percent excellent. Harvest reached 78 percent complete compared 
with 86 percent
last year and the average of 88 percent.

OTHER CROPS: Pastures were rated 2 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 21 percent 
fair, 61 percent good, and 12 percent excellent. Winter wheat seeding reached 19 
percent compared with 15 percent last year, and the average of 22 percent. Some 
farmers still reported that
they were putting up hay last week.

Kentucky Weather Summary: For the Period October 6 to 12, 2003

Above Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Rainfall:

Seasonably warm temperatures and dry conditions allowed harvest and other
field activities to advance. Scattered, very light showers were reported
from mid workweek into the weekend.

Temperatures for the week averaged 65 degrees across the state which was 5 
degrees above normal and 13 degrees warmer than the previous week. High 
temperatures averaged from 77 in the West to 76 in the East. Departure from 
normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees above normal in the West to 5 
degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 53 degrees in 
the West to 53 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged 
from 3 degrees above normal in the West to 5 degrees above normal in the East.
Extreme high and low temperatures were in the low 80's and mid 40's.

Rainfall for the period totaled 0.12 inches statewide which was 0.54 inches 
below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.31 inches, 
Central 0.12 inches, Bluegrass 0.01 inches and East 0.04 inches, which was 0.38, 
0.54, 0.62 and 0.63 inches respectively below normal. By station, rainfall 
totals ranged from a low of 0.00 inches at Bardstown to a high of 0.66 inches at 
Cape Girardeau. 
---
Kentucky Crop Weather
Issued 4:00 P.M., October 6, 2003 JOC 28-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: Below average temperatures last week were predominant across 
the State. Temperatures for the week averaged 52 degrees, 10 degrees below 
normal. Some scattered frost was reported across northern areas. Precipitation 
for the week totaled 0.27 inches which was 0.43 inches below normal. The rains 
only slightly slowed harvesting in Kentucky. Days suitable for fieldwork 
averaged 5.3 out of seven. Harvesting corn and soybeans and clipping pastures 
were the major farm activities reported. Farmers are in the final stages of 
cutting and housing tobacco. Topsoil moisture as of Friday, October 3 was rated 
7 percent short, 83 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture 
was rated 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 82 percent adequate, and 9 
percent surplus.

TOBACCO: As of Sunday, October 5, burley tobacco harvest advanced to 96 percent 
complete compared to 99 percent last year and the average of 98 percent. The 
status of burley tobacco in the barn was reported 84 percent not ready for 
stripping, 13 percent ready for stripping, and 3 percent stripped. Condition of 
housed tobacco on Friday, October 3 was reported as 6 percent poor, 23 percent 
fair, 53 percent good, and 18 percent excellent. Dark tobacco harvest reached 95 
percent complete compared with 99 percent a year ago and the average of 98 
percent.

SOYBEANS: Harvest was just underway with 13 percent combined, compared with 17 
percent last year and the average of 26 percent. Soybeans mature were reported 
at 80 percent, compared with 87 percent last year, and a 5 year average of 80 
percent, with 80 percent safe from frost damage. As of Sunday, October 5, 96 
percent were dropping leaves compared to 84 percent a year ago and the average 
of 80 percent. On Friday, October 3, soybean condition was rated 2 percent poor, 
15 percent fair, 52 percent good and 31 percent excellent.

CORN: As of October 5, 96 percent of the corn had reached maturity, compared 
with 99 percent for both last year and the 5 year average. Condition was 
reported 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 37 percent good, 
and 37 percent excellent. Harvest reached 65 percent complete compared with 76 
percent last year and the average of 78 percent. Reports of above average corn 
yields and quality continue as farmers harvest the crop this year.

OTHER CROPS: Pastures were rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 21 percent 
fair, 61 percent good, and 15 percent excellent. Winter wheat seeding reached 10 
percent compared with 11 percent last year, and the average of 15 percent. Some 
farmers reported that they were still putting up hay last week.

Kentucky Weather Summary: For the Period September 29 to October 5, 2003

Below Normal Temperature and Below Normal Rainfall:

Unseasonably cool, record low temperatures, with scattered frost and mostly dry 
conditions dominated the week and provided minimal interruptions to harvest and 
field activities. This was the third week straight with cooler than normal 
temperatures.

Temperatures for the period averaged 52 degrees across the state which was 10 
degrees below normal and 12 degrees cooler than the previous week. High 
temperatures averaged from 65 in the West to 63 in the East. Departure from 
normal high temperatures ranged from 11 degrees below normal in the West to 10 
degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 41 degrees in 
the West to 41 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged 
from 12 degrees below normal in the West to 10 degrees below normal in the East.

Rainfall for the period totaled 0.27 inches statewide which was 0.43 inches 
below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.26 inches, 
Central 0.22 inches, Bluegrass 0.30 inches and East 0.30 inches, which was 0.46, 
0.50, 0.37 and 0.41 inches respectively below normal. By station, rainfall 
totals ranged from a low of 0.00 inches at Mayfield to a high of 0.48 inches at 
Henderson. 
---
Kentucky Crop Weather
Issued 4:00 P.M., September 29, 2003 JSL 27-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: Slightly below average temperatures last week reminded us 
that we are well into the fall season. Precipitation for the week totaled 2.49 
inches which was 1.68 inches above normal. The rains helped double crop soybeans 
filltheirpods and stimulated fall pasture growth. Days suitable for fieldwork 
averaged 4.5 out ofseven. Harvestingcornand soybeans and clipping pastures were 
the major farm activities reported. Corn harvest halted briefly after rain 
showers early last week as farmers waited for fields to dry. Farmers are in the 
final stages of cutting and housing tobacco. Topsoil moisture as of Friday, 
September 26 was rated 5 percent short, 82 percent adequate and 13 percent 
surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 8 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 12 
percent surplus.

TOBACCO: As of Sunday, September 28, burley tobacco harvest advanced to 82 
percent complete compared to 93 percent last year and the average of 94 percent. 
Dark tobacco harvest reached 88 percent complete compared with 93 percent a year 
ago and the average of 94 percent. Rain last week slowed tobacco harvest and 
damaged some of the cut tobacco still in the field.Conditionofhoused tobacco 
onFriday, September 26 was reported as 3 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 33 
percent fair, 35 percent good, and 17 percent excellent.

SOYBEANS: Harvestwasjust underwaywith5percent combined, compared with 8 percent 
last year and the average of 15 percent. Rains last week should help late 
soybeans develop. As of Sunday, September 28, 70 percent were shedding leaves 
compared to 72 percent a year ago and the average of 69 percent. On Friday, 
September 26, soybean condition was rated 1 percent poor, 16 percent fair, 53 
percent good and 30 percent excellent. Some farmers are starting to get 
concerned about double crop soybeans maturing before the frost.

CORN: As of September 28, 94 percent of the corn had reached maturity, compared 
with96 for bothlast year and the 5 year average. Harvest reached 52 percent 
complete as of Sunday, September 28 compared with 62 percent last year and the 
average of 66 percent. Reports ofabove average corn yields and quality are the 
norm as farmers continue to harvest the crop this year.

OTHER CROPS: Pastures were rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 21 percent 
fair, 59 percent good, and 17 percent excellent. Farmers continued to prepare 
fieldsand some started seeding fall small grains last week. A few reports that 
farmers were still putting up hay last week were received.

Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period September 22 to 28, 2003 

Below Normal Temperature and Much Above Normal Rainfall:

After two dry weeks, surplus rainfall along with below normal temperatures
returned to the Bluegrass state. Significant rainfall events occurred at
the start of the workweek and during the weekend. Temperatures at mid-week
were very warm in the upper 70s to low 80s. The remainder of the workweek
and weekend were unseasonably cool. 

Temperatures for the period averaged 64 degrees across the state which was 1 
degree below normal and 2 degrees cooler than the previous week. High 
temperatures averaged from 77 in the West to 72 in the East. Departure from 
normal high temperatures ranged from 2 degrees below normal in the West to 3 
degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 54 degrees in 
the West to 56 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged 
from 1 degree below normal in the West to 3 degrees above normal in the East. 
Extreme high temperatures were in the low 80s and extreme low temperatures were 
in the upper 40s.

Rainfall for the period totaled 2.49 inches statewide which was 1.68 inches 
above normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 1.82 inches, Central 
3.47 inches, Bluegrass 2.54 inches and East 2.13 inches, which was 1.00, 2.62, 
1.76 and 1.35 inches respectively above normal. By Kentucky station, rainfall 
totals ranged from a low of 1.47 inches at Quicksand to a high of 5.16 inches at 
Glasgow. 

---
Kentucky Crop Weather
Issued 4:00 P.M., September 22, 2003 JSL 26-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: Cool temperatures and sparse precipitation were the 
predominate weather conditions last week. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 
6.0 out of a possible seven days. Harvesting corn and hay, along with cutting 
and housing tobacco continued to be the main activities on the farm this week. 
As of Friday, September 19, topsoil moisture was rated 2 percent very short, 18 
percent short,74 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was 
rated 3 percent very short, 16 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 7
percent surplus.

TOBACCO: Weather conditions continue to be good for curing tobacco. Condition of 
tobacco was 4 percent very poor, 10 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 44 percent 
good, and 13 percent excellent. Harvest of the burley crop moved up to 78 
percent cut. Last year the rate was 87 percent, with the 5 year average at 88 
percent. Eighty-two percent of the dark tobacco had been cut, compared to 89 
percent for 2002 and 88 percent on average. Most tobacco has been curing very 
well. Persistent rains damaged some tobacco during harvesting and may effect 
quality. Tobacco showing houseburn was reported as 66 percent none, 19 percent 
light, 13 percent moderate, and 2 percent heavy.

CORN: Farmers continued to make good progress harvesting their crop after 
another dry week. Early reports continue to indicate an overall above average 
crop and some farmers are predicting record yields. Corn harvesting reached 41 
percent, compared to 55 percent last year and 54 percent for the 5 year average. 
Average moisture content of corn being harvested was 23 percent. As of Friday, 
September 19, corn condition was reported as 1 percent very poor, 4 percent 
poor, 21 percent fair, 37 percent good, and 37 percent excellent. Approximately 
90 percent of the corn crop was mature. In 2002, 93 percent was mature, with 92 
percent for the 5 year average.

SOYBEANS: Harvest for full season beans should get started next week, while 
double crop beans still need some time to develop. Crop condition was 1 percent 
poor, 16 percent fair, 49 percent good, and 34 percent excellent. As of Sunday, 
September 21, 30 percent of the soybean crop was shedding leaves, compared with 
53 percent last year, and the 5 year average of 54 percent.

OTHER CROPS: Fall hay harvest is almost complete and hay yield has been above 
average this year. The quality has been hurt this year due to steady rains that 
prevented timely harvesting. Condition of the hay was reported as 1 percent very 
poor, 2 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 50 percent good, and 21 percent 
excellent. Hay supplies are expected to be adequate this year. Pastures were 
rated 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 55 percent good, and 
20 percent excellent. Farmers seeded pastures and prepared fields for
fall small seeding grains.


Kentucky Weather Summary: September 15 to 22, 2003

Temperatures for the period averaged 66 degrees across the state which was -1
degrees from normal. High temperatures averaged from 79 in the West to 76 in 
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from -2 degrees from
normal in the West to -1 degrees from normal in the East. Low temperatures 
averaged from 52 degrees in the West to 56 degrees in the East. Departure from
normal low temperature ranged from -5 degrees from normal in the West to +1 
degrees from normal in the East.

Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 0.14 inches statewide which was
-0.67 inches from normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.07 
inches, Central 0.20 inches, Bluegrass 0.08 inches and East 0.21 inches, which
was -0.75, -0.65, -0.69 and -0.58 inches respectively from normal. By station,
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.00 inches at Berea to a high of 0.73
inches at Hardinsburg. 
---

Kentucky Crop Weather
Issued 4:00 P.M., September 15, 2003 JSL 25-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: Dry weather and warm days allowed farmers to get out in the 
fields until the weekend showers. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 6.0 out 
of a possible seven days. Harvesting hay, corn, silage, and tobacco continued to 
be the main activities on the farm this week. As of Friday, September 12, 
topsoil moisture was rated 8 percent short, 85 percent adequate, and 7 percent 
surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 83 
percent adequate and 9 percent surplus.

TOBACCO: Cut tobacco was rated mostly fair to good. A few reporters noted that 
Blue mold is still a problem for tobacco remaining in the field. Condition of 
tobacco was 2 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 47 percent 
good, and 18 percent excellent. Foggy weather last week helped tobacco cure. 
Some houseburn in tobacco curing in the barns was reported. Well over half of 
the burley crop had been harvested with 66 percent cut. Last year the rate was 
79 percent, with the 5 year average at 81 percent. Sixty-four percent of the 
dark tobacco had been cut, compared to 79 percent for both 2002 and the 5 year 
average.

CORN: Farmers got a boost toward harvesting their crop as the heat continued to 
dry the corn crop down. Reports on corn crop yields continued to point toward an 
above average crop. As of Friday, September 12, corn condition was reported as 1 
percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 43 percent good, and 35 
percent excellent. Ninety-two percent of the corn crop was dented, compared to 
98 percent for both one year ago and the 5 year average. Approximately 68 
percent of the corn crop was mature. In 2002, 87 percent was mature, with 83 
percent for the 5 year average. Corn harvesting reached 22 percent, compared to 
45 percent last year and 38 percent for the 5 year average.

SOYBEANS: The recent rains that have hindered corn harvesting have helped double 
crop beans develop. Disease is present in some fields, but overall it is not a 
problem. Crop condition was 1 percent poor, 14 percent fair, 51 percent good, 
and 34 percent excellent. Twenty-six percent of the soybean fields have turned 
yellow, compared to 52 percent last year, and 55 percent for the 5 year average. 
As of Friday, September 12, 8 percent of the soybean crop was shedding leaves, 
compared with 34 percent for both last year, and the 5 year average.

OTHER CROPS: Hay continued to be cut, and yields have been above average. 
Condition of the hay was reported as 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 25 
percent fair, 50 percent good, and 21 percent excellent. Pastures were still in 
good condition unlike last year when some farmers were forced to feed hay in 
early September. Pasture condition was reported at 1 percent very poor, 2 
percent poor, 21 percent fair, 58 percent good, and 18 percent excellent.


Kentucky Weather Summary: September 08 to 14, 2003

Above Normal Temperature and Below Normal Rainfall:

A dry workweek and first part of the weekend...which followed two previous very 
wet weeks. Temperatures continued the trend of near to above normal temperatures 
from the previous four weeks. Rainfall on Sunday was mostly light and very 
scattered. Early morning fog was reported daily during the workweek.

Temperatures for the 7 day period averaged 71 degrees across the state which was 
2 degrees above normal and similar to the previous week. High temperatures 
averaged from 83 in the West to 80 in the East. Departure from normal high 
temperatures ranged from near normal in the West to 1 degree above normal in the 
East. Low temperatures averaged from 61 degrees in the West to 59 degrees in the 
East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 2 degrees above normal 
in the West to 1 degree above normal in the East.

Rainfall for the week totaled 0.16 inches statewide which was 0.64 inches below 
normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 0.16 inches, Central 0.33 
inches, Bluegrass 0.04 inches and East 0.11 inches, which was -0.66, -0.52, 
-0.74 and -0.67 inches respectively from normal. By station, rainfall totals 
ranged from a low of 0.00 inches at Jackson to a high of 0.83 inches at 
Bowling Green. 


---
Kentucky Crop Weather

Issued 4:00 P.M., September 8, 2003 KGC 24-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: Wet conditions halted fieldwork. That seemed to be the 
consensus among farmers in the State. With the rain and cooler temperatures, 
crops still looked good, except for some bottom land fields that experienced 
some damage from the standing water. Working between showers farmers cut and 
housed tobacco, cut hay, and harvested early maturing corn. Days suitable for 
fieldwork averaged 2.4 out of a possible seven days. Topsoil moisture as of 
Friday, September 5 was rated 2 percent short, 57 percent adequate and 41 
percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 5 percent short, 63 percent adequate 
and 32 percent surplus.

TOBACCO: When weather permitted, a few more fields of tobacco were cut and 
housed. For the most part, the housed tobacco continued to cure well. 
Twenty-eight percent of the early housed tobacco showed some houseburn, and a 
few reports indicated some blue mold in a few tobacco fields. Late maturing 
fields were topped and sprayed for suckers and insects. Condition of the tobacco 
was reported as 2 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 47 percent 
good, and 19 percent excellent. Forty-four percent of burley tobacco has been 
cut, compared to 66 percent for 2002 and 70 percent for the 5 year average. Dark 
tobacco cut was 45 percent, behind last year’s 57 percent and the 5 year average 
of 65 percent.

CORN: Corn harvested for grain looks very good. Rain kept many farmers from 
getting into the fields to harvest the crop. If the showers hold off for a few 
more days, harvesting the corn should be well under way. Condition of the corn 
crop was 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 40 percent good, 
and 29 percent excellent. By Sunday, September 7, 88 percent of the corn has 
reached the dent stage or beyond, compared to 94 percent a year ago and 95 for 
the 5 year average. Corn was 60 percent mature, also behind 69 percent a year 
ago and 70 percent for the 5 year average. Fourteen percent of the corn crop has 
been harvested, compared with 33 percent last year and 23 percent for the 5 year 
average.

SOYBEANS: Crop condition was rated 1 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 55 percent 
good, and 27 percent excellent. Ninety-three percent of the soybeans was setting 
pods, behind 2002's progress of 97 percent, and slightly behind the 5 year 
average of 94 percent. Only 12 percent of the soybean crop’s leaves were turning 
yellow, compared to 37 percent for both last year and the 5 year average. 
Soybeans dropping leaves was 3 percent, compared with 16 percent a year ago, and 
the 5 year average of 17 percent. The additional showers this week should aid 
the double-cropped soybeans in filling pods. A few reports indicated some 
lodging and aphids.

OTHER CROPS: Farmers tried to cut hay this week, when it was not raining. 
Condition of the hay crop was rated 2 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 52 percent 
good, and 24 percent excellent. The showers improved the condition of pastures, 
which were rated at 3 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 55 percent good, and 23 
percent excellent.


Kentucky Weather Summary: September 1 to 7, 2003

Near Normal Temperatures and Much Above Normal Rainfall:

The combined influence of Gulf moisture from the remnants of Tropical Storm 
Grace and a stalled frontal system over the Ohio Valley provided frequent and 
oftentimes intense rainfall across the Commonwealth during most of the workweek. 
Flooding was reported in many areas of the state. This occurred after the 2nd 
wettest April through August on record. Drier conditions returned on Friday and 
remained through the weekend.

Temperatures for the week averaged 71 degrees across the state which was near 
normal and 8 degrees cooler than the previous week. High temperatures averaged 
from 79 in the West to 78 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures 
ranged from 5 degrees below normal in the West to 2 degrees below normal in the 
East. Low temperatures averaged from 63 degrees in the West to 63 degrees in the 
East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 2 degrees above normal 
in the West to 4 degrees above normal in the East.

Rainfall for the period totaled 2.77 inches statewide which was 1.97 inches 
above normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 3.05 inches, Central 
3.38 inches, Bluegrass 2.48 inches and East 2.17 inches, which was 2.24, 2.53, 
1.71 and 1.39 inches respectively above normal. By station, rainfall totals 
ranged from a low of 0.84 inches at Evansville to a high of 6.57 inches at 
Hardinsburg


---
Kentucky Crop Weather

Issued 4:00 P.M., September 2, 2003 KGC 23-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: Another warm week was in store for Kentucky farmers. Weekend 
showers revived some crops, but prevented farmers from working in the fields at 
week’s end. Before the rain, early tobacco was cut and housed, more hay was 
harvested, and pastures were clipped. The number of days suitable for fieldwork 
averaged 5.6 out of a possible seven days. Topsoil moisture was rated 3 percent 
very short, 26 percent short, 62 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus as of 
Friday, August 29. Subsoil moisture was rated 2 percent very short, 22 percent 
short, 69 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus.

CORN: Corn condition was 2 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 
42 percent good, and 31 percent excellent. Eighty-six percent of the corn has 
reached the dent stage or beyond, behind both last year and the 5 year average 
of 90 percent. Corn matured was at 49 percent, compared to 57 percent a year ago 
and 53 percent for the 5 year average. The rain prevented farmers from 
harvesting their early-maturing corn for grain. Farmers were chopping corn for 
silage. Once the fields are dry enough, the harvest season should pick up 
quickly.

SOYBEANS: Recent showers greatly improved soybean conditions, which were rated 2 
percent poor, 17 percent fair, 49 percent good, and 32 percent excellent. 
Soybeans setting pods was at 83 percent, compared to 86 percent for 2002 and 87 
for the average. Six percent of the soybean crop’s leaves were turning yellow, 
behind last year’s 16 percent, and the 5 year average of 20 percent. On Sunday, 
August 31, 1 percent of the soybeans were dropping leaves, compared to 4 percent 
a year ago, and the 5 year average of 8 percent. Rain will benefit pod filling 
and farmers with late or double-cropped soybeans hope for a late frost this 
year.

TOBACCO: Some of the early tobacco were cut and housed this week. It appears to 
be curing well and weighing a little heavy. Additional reports of blue mold were 
minimal. Tobacco condition was reported as 2 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 
25 percent fair, 45 percent good, and 21 percent excellent. Thirty-five percent 
of burley tobacco has been cut, below last year’s 44 percent and the 5 year 
average of 53 percent. Dark tobacco cut was 29 percent, compared to 40 percent 
for 2002 and 51 percent for the 5 year average.

OTHER CROPS: Farmers continued to cut hay this week. Hay conditions were 1 
percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 52 percent good, and 20 
percent excellent. Pastures revived some with the weekend showers. Pasture 
condition was rated at 2 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 47 
percent good, and 17 percent excellent.

Kentucky Weather Summary: For the Period August 25 to August 31, 2003

Above Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Rainfall:

The hottest workweek so far this summer for the state as a whole with numerous
showers and thunderstorms which started at mid-week and continued into the weekend. 
Most locations had high temperatures in the low to mid 90s through the
workweek. But cooler temperatures returned on the weekend. 

Temperatures for the period averaged 79 degrees across the state which was 7 
degrees above normal and 2 degrees warmer than the previous week. High 
temperatures averaged from 91 in the West to 87 in the East. Departure from 
normal high temperatures ranged from 5 degrees above normal in the West to 5 
degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 70 degrees in 
the West to 68 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged 
from 7 degrees above normal in the West to 8 degrees above normal in the East.

Rainfall for the period totaled 1.46 inches statewide which was 0.61 inches 
above normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 1.70 inches, Central 
1.56 inches, Bluegrass 1.30 inches and East 1.26 inches, which was +0.91, +0.72, 
+0.44 and +0.38 inches respectively above normal. By station, rainfall totals 
ranged from a low of 0.39 inches at Williamstown to a high of 2.02 inches at 
Paducah. 


---
Kentucky Crop Weather

Issued 4:00 P.M., August 25, 2003 KGC 22-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: Warm, dry conditions persisted this week. Showers fell on 
parts of the State later in the week. Topping, spraying and cutting tobacco, 
harvesting hay, clipping pastures and preparing harvest equipment continued from 
last week. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 5.9 out of a possible seven 
days. As of Friday, August 22, topsoil moisture was rated 2 percent very short, 
27 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture 
was rated 2 percent very short, 17 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 7 
percent surplus.

TOBACCO: The condition of tobacco was reported as 1 percent very poor, 7 percent 
poor, 28 percent fair, 45 percent good, and 19 percent excellent. The hot and 
dry weather helped to dry up a few tobacco fields affected by blue mold, though 
some fields still suffered from blue mold and black shank. Very few incidents of 
insect damage have been reported. About 23 percent of burley tobacco has been 
cut, compared with 33 percent for 2002 and the 5 year average of 38 percent. 
Dark tobacco cutting was 17 percent, behind both last year’s 24 percent and 37 
percent for the 5 year average.

CORN: The corn crop is developing well, in spite of progressing slower than last 
year. Harvest should begin for early-maturing corn within the next few weeks. 
Corn condition was 2 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 37 
percent good, and 27 percent excellent. As of Sunday, August 24, 94 percent of 
the corn has reached the dough stage or beyond, behind 2002's 97 percent, but 
the same as the 5 year average. Corn dented was at 71 percent, compared to 81 
percent last year and 77 percent on average.

SOYBEANS: Soybeans look good, but could use some more rain. That seems to be the 
consensus among people across the State. Crop condition for the week was rated 4 
percent poor, 19 percent fair, 50 percent good, and 27 percent excellent. 
Eighty-seven percent of the soybean crop was blooming, compared to 92 percent 
last year and 93 percent for the 5 year average. On Sunday, August 24, 
two-thirds of the soybeans were setting pods, compared to 79 percent a year ago, 
and the 5 year average of 77 percent. Soybeans shedding leaves was at 1 percent, 
same as 2002, but behind the 5 year average of 2 percent.

OTHER CROPS: Additional cuttings of hay continued from previous week. Fields 
looked good, but a few more showers will further improve conditions. For the 
week, those conditions were 2 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 54 percent good, 
and 17 percent excellent. Pasture condition was rated at 1 percent very poor, 3 
percent poor, 24 percent fair, 55 percent good, and 17 percent excellent.


Kentucky Weather Summary: For the Period August 18 to 24, 2003

Above Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Rainfall:

A mostly dry week with limited showers and thunderstorms some of which provided 
intense rainfall and high winds in localized areas of central and eastern 
sections of the state. It was the second week with above normal temperatures and 
below normal rainfall.

Temperatures for the period averaged 77 degrees across the state which was 3 
degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 91 in the West to 85 in 
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 4 degrees above 
normal in the West to 1 degree above normal in the East. Low temperatures 
averaged from 67 degrees in the West to 66 degrees in the East. Departure from 
normal low temperature ranged from 3 degrees above normal in the West to 4 
degrees above normal in the East. Western sections had 5 days with high 
temperatures near or above 90 degrees, with no days in the 90's in eastern 
sections of the state.

Rainfall for the period totaled 0.37 inches statewide which was 0.47 inches from 
normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 0.08 inches, Central 0.73 
inches, Bluegrass 0.56 inches and East 0.10 inches, which was 0.71, 0.11, 0.30 
and 0.77 inches respectively below normal. By station, rainfall totals ranged 
from a low of 0.00 inches at Berea to a high of 2.10 inches at Bardstown. 

---
Kentucky Crop Weather

Issued 4:00 P.M., August 18, 2003 KBM 21-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: Farmers were able to get a little more fieldwork accomplished 
last week as showers subsided for much of Kentucky last week. Days suitable for 
fieldwork averaged 4.9 out of a possible seven days. Main farm activities 
included, topping, spraying and cutting tobacco, harvesting hay, clipping 
pastures and preparing harvest equipment. Topsoil moisture as of Friday, August 
15 was rated 8 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 19 percent surplus. 
Subsoil moisture was rated 9 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 17 percent 
surplus.

CORN: As of Sunday, August 17, 90 percent of the corn was in the milk stage or 
beyond, which was behind last year’s average of 97 percent and the 5 year 
average of 96 percent. Seventy percent of the corn has reached the dough stage 
or beyond, compared to 80 percent last year and the 5 year average of 81 
percent. Forty-two percent of the corn was dented, compared with 58 percent last 
year and 55 percent on average. The corn crop is in mostly good to excellent 
condition, with 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 43 percent 
good, and 29 percent excellent.

SOYBEANS: Condition of the soybean crop improved and was rated 2 percent poor, 
18 percent fair, 52 percent good, and 28 percent excellent. As of Sunday, August 
17, 78 percent of the soybeans were blooming, compared to 79 percent a year ago 
and 83 percent on average. About half were setting pods, compared with 57 
percent last year, and the five-year average of 61 percent.

TOBACCO: Blue mold was on a lot of reporters minds last week. The impact of blue 
mold seems to be highly variable. There were about as many remarks that damage 
was light or moderate as there were that some fields were badly damaged by the 
disease. Less rain and hotter temperatures are needed to slow the progress of 
the disease. Black shank damage appears to be minimal to moderate. Insect damage 
has been minimal. As of Sunday, August 17, the condition of set tobacco was 
reported as 3 percent very poor, 11 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 42 percent 
good, and 19 percent excellent. About 9 percent of burley tobacco has been cut, 
behind both last year’s 17 percent and the 5 year average of 22 percent. 
Fifty-nine percent of burley tobacco was topped, also behind both last year’s 79 
percent and the 5 year average of 80 percent. Dark tobacco reported topped was 
85 percent, compared with 97 percent for 2002 and the 5 year average of 93 
percent. Dark tobacco cut was 8 percent, behind both last year’s 19 percent and 
the 5 year average of
21 percent.

OTHER CROPS: Hay harvest picked up last week in most areas. It is still a 
challenge to harvest hay and clip pastures in some eastern Kentucky areas where 
the ground remains saturated. The condition both of pastures and the hay crop 
was rated the same at 3 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 20 
percent excellent.

Kentucky Weather Summary: For the Period August 11 to 17, 2003

Above Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Rainfall:

A daily dose of scattered showers and thunderstorms were the rule last week as a 
weak upper-level low pressure system stalled in the lower Ohio Valley. The 
concentration of activity was in the Bluegrass and Eastern sections of the state 
with West and Central receiving below normal rainfall for the period. It was
the warmest week since the beginning of July and the first week with above
normal temperatures in 5 weeks for the entire state.

Temperatures for the period averaged 77 degrees across the state which was 3 
degrees above normal and 3 degrees warmer than the previous week. High 
temperatures averaged from 88 in the West to 85 in the East. Departure from 
normal high temperatures ranged from near normal in the West to 1 degree above 
normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 67 degrees in the West to 68 
degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 3 degrees 
above normal in the West to 5 degrees above normal in the East. Extreme high
temperatures were in the low 90's and extreme low temperatures were near 60
degrees.

Rainfall for the period totaled 0.58 inches statewide which was 0.27 inches 
below normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 0.12 inches, Central 
0.20 inches, Bluegrass 0.87 inches and East 1.11 inches, which was -0.67, -0.64, 
+0.01 and +0.24 inches respectively from normal. By station, rainfall totals 
ranged from a low of 0.01 inches at Paducah to a high of 1.93 inches at 
Lexington's (UK Spindletop Research Farm). 

---
Kentucky Crop Weather

Issued 4:00 P.M., August 11, 2003 KBM 20-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: High winds and some hail swept across Kentucky early last 
week. Central and eastern Kentucky were most affected. The extent of damage is 
thought to be minimal due to the stage crops were in, although a couple of 
reports of serious water damage to tobacco were received. Days suitable for 
fieldwork averaged 3.8 out of a possible seven days. Farmers were busy last week 
topping tobacco, spraying for suckers, insects and weeds, hay baling and 
preparing equipment for the upcoming tobacco and corn harvest. Topsoil moisture 
as of Friday, August 8 was rated 4 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 24 
percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 7 percent short, 70 percent adequate
and 23 percent surplus.

TOBACCO: Continuing wet weather is causing some problems with blue mold in 
eastern Kentucky fields, although the extent is variable. Black shank has been 
reported, but appears to be localized. Insect damage has been minimal. Several 
producers reported they had started cutting their early tobacco. As of Sunday, 
August 10, the condition of set tobacco was reported as 2 percent very poor, 12 
percent poor, 29 percent fair, 40 percent good, and 17 percent excellent. 
Sixty-seven percent of burley tobacco was blooming or beyond, behind both last 
year’s 78 percent and the 5 year average of 83 percent. Forty-five percent of 
burley tobacco was topped, also behind both last year’s 64 percent and the 5 
year average of 63 percent. Dark tobacco reported topped was seventy-four 
percent, compared with 84 percent for 2002 and the 5 year average.

CORN: As of Sunday, August 10, seventy-eight percent of the corn was in the milk 
stage or beyond, which was behind last year’s average of 87 percent and the 5 
year average of 86 percent. Fifty-nine percent of the corn has reached the dough 
stage or beyond, compared to 62 percent last year and the 5 year average of 65 
percent. Thirty percent of the corn was dented, compared with 41 percent last 
year and 34 percent on average. The corn crop is in mostly good to excellent 
condition, with 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 39 percent 
good, and 29 percent excellent.

SOYBEANS: Most comments about soybeans were favorable. Western Kentucky farmers 
were especially optimistic. As of Sunday, August 10, sixty-six percent of the 
soybeans were blooming and thirty-seven percent were setting pods, last year 76 
percent were blooming and 47 percent were setting pods. The 5 year average for 
soybeans blooming and setting pods were 74 and 50 percent respectively. 
Condition of the soybean crop improved and was rated 1 percent very poor, 2 
percent poor, 18 percent fair, 49 percent good, and 30 percent excellent.

OTHER CROPS: Rains have helped produce a lot of hay, but farmers are having 
trouble getting it cut and baled due to wet weather. The condition of the hay 
crop was rated 3 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 21 percent 
excellent. Pastures remain in good to excellent condition and were rated 2 
percent poor, 17 percent fair, 61 percent good and 20 percent excellent.


Kentucky Weather Summary: For the Period August 4 to 10, 2003

Below Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Rainfall:

Central and Eastern sections of the state received much above normal rainfall
last week with Western sections receiving much less rainfall than the remainder
of the state. The cooler than normal temperatures trend continued.

Temperatures for the 7 day period averaged 74 degrees across the state which was 
2 degrees below normal and 2 degrees cooler than the previous week. High 
temperatures averaged from 85 in the West to 81 in the East. Departure from 
normal high temperatures ranged from 4 degrees below normal in the West to 5 
degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 65 degrees in 
the West to 64 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged 
from 1 degree below normal in the West to near normal in the East.

Rainfall for the period totaled 1.23 inches statewide which was 0.39 inches 
above normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 0.34 inches, Central 
0.88 inches, Bluegrass 1.25 inches and East 2.45 inches, which was -0.45, +0.03, 
+0.40 and +1.58 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation 
totals ranged from a low of 0.00 inches at Bowling Green to a high of 5.29 
inches at Bristol. 
---
Kentucky Crop Weather

Issued 4:00 P.M., August 4, 2003 KBM 19-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: Last week was a wet end to a very wet and cool month for much 
of the State. Showers and thunderstorms hampered fieldwork for most of the week. 
Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 4.0 out of a possible seven days. As 
conditions allowed, farmers were busy last week topping tobacco, spraying for 
suckers, insects and weeds, hay baling and general farm maintenance. Topsoil 
moisture as of Friday, August 1 was rated 10 percent short, 68 percent adequate 
and 22 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 11 percent short, 74 percent 
adequate and 15 percent surplus.

CORN: As of Sunday, August 3, eighty-eight percent of the corn has silked or is 
silking, compared to last year’s 97 percent and the 5 year average of 95 
percent. Sixty-four percent was in the milk stage or beyond, which was behind 
last year’s average of 81 percent and the 5 year average of 76 percent. 
Forty-two percent of the corn has reached the dough stage or beyond, compared to 
57 percent last year and the 5 year average of 52 percent. The emerged corn 
remains in mostly fair to excellent condition, with 1 percent very poor, 8 
percent poor, 28 percent fair, 37 percent good, and 26 percent excellent.

SOYBEANS: Early soybeans were reported to be in mostly good shape. Later planted 
soybeans will be very reliant on the kindness of mother nature during August and 
September. As of Sunday, August 3, 57 percent of the soybeans were blooming and 
19 percent were setting pods, last year 70 percent were blooming and 39 percent 
were setting pods. The 5 year average for soybeans blooming and setting pods 
were 67 and 41 percent respectively. Condition of emerged soybeans was rated 1 
percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 53 percent good, and 21 
percent excellent.

TOBACCO: There were few reports of disease or insect problems in tobacco. There 
is some concern about tobacco height. For some tobacco fields, last week’s rains 
were too much and for some, the clouds passed over leaving fields dry. To 
paraphrase one reporter from western Kentucky, tobacco has struggled from the 
start from excessive rain, then too little rain and cooler than normal 
temperatures. As of Sunday, August 3, the condition of set tobacco was reported 
as 1 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 46 percent good, and 14 
percent excellent. Fifty-two percent of burley tobacco was blooming or beyond, 
behind both last year’s 64 percent and the 5 year average of 69 percent. Thirty 
percent of burley tobacco was topped, also behind both last year’s 40 percent 
and the 5 year average of 45 percent. Dark tobacco reported topped was 61 
percent, compared with 76 percent for 2002 and the 5 year
average.

OTHER CROPS: Between showers, farmers cut and baled hay and clipped pastures. 
The condition of the hay crop was rated 4 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 54 
percent good, and 21 percent excellent. Pastures remain in good to excellent 
condition and were rated 4 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 51 percent good and 25 
percent excellent.


Kentucky Weather Summary: July 28 to August 3, 2003

Near Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Rainfall:

15th Wettest; 2nd Coolest June and July on Record:

Showers and thunderstorms occurred at the beginning, middle and end of the week 
due to a persistent upper-level trough and stalled surface low pressure system 
over the Ohio Valley for most of the week. Interruptions to field activities
resulted from the cooler, wet conditions which is a continuation of a very cool,
wet June and July.

Temperatures for the past week averaged 76 degrees across the state which was  
near normal and 2 degrees warmer than the previous week. High temperatures 
averaged from 86 in the West to 82 in the East. Departure from normal high 
temperatures ranged from 3 degrees below normal in the West to 4 degrees below 
normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 67 degrees in the West to 67 
degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 1 
degree above normal in the West to 3 degrees above normal in the East.

Rainfall for the week totaled 2.36 inches statewide which was 1.39 inches above 
normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 2.68 inches, Central 2.44 
inches, Bluegrass 1.53 inches and East 2.78 inches, which was 1.81, 1.45, 0.56 
and 1.76 inches respectively above normal. By Kentucky station, rainfall totals 
ranged from a low of 0.62 inches at Spindletop (UK Research Farm) to a high of 
5.20 inches at Henderson. 

---
Kentucky Crop Weather

Issued 4:00 P.M., July 28, 2003 TNS 18-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: Temperatures for the State averaged 74 degrees which was 3 
degrees below normal. Precipitation for the week was 0.16 inches below normal, 
except for the central part of the State which was hit by heavy rains on Monday 
the 21st. Strong winds with this storm did some damage to tobacco. The major 
farming activity this week included topping and cultivating tobacco, harvesting 
hay, and clipping pastures. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 4.8 out of a 
possible seven days. Topsoil moisture as of Friday, July 25 was rated 2 percent 
very short, 18 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus. Subsoil 
moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 16 percent short, 77 percent adequate 
and 6 percent surplus.

CORN: Most reporters seem to be optimistic about the corn crop. The western part 
of the State still needs more rain. As of Sunday, July 27, seventy-five percent 
of the corn has silked or is silking, compared to last year’s 83 percent and the 
5 year average of 88 percent. Fifty-four percent was in the milk stage or 
beyond, which was the same as last year’s 54 percent and the 5 year average of 
60 percent. Twenty-six percent of the corn has reached the dough stage or 
beyond, compared to 33 percent last year and the 5 year average of 36 percent. 
The emerged corn was in fair to excellent condition, with 2 percent very poor, 9 
percent poor, 22 percent fair, 42 percent good, and 25 percent excellent.

SOYBEANS: Farmers were spraying the soybeans for weeds during the week. As of 
Sunday, July 27, 33 percent of the soybeans were blooming and 10 percent were 
setting pods, last year 42 percent were blooming and 19 percent were setting 
pods. The 5 year average for soybeans blooming and setting pods were 55 and 29 
percent respectively. Condition of emerged soybeans was rated 1 percent very 
poor, 5 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 53 percent good, and 19 percent 
excellent.

TOBACCO: There were minimal reports of disease or insect problems in the 
tobacco, that was the good news. The rest of the reports were mixed and weather 
related. Those areas hit with heavy rains also had high winds that blew down 
tobacco. As of Sunday, July 27, the condition of set tobacco was reported as 3 
percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 31 percent fair, 42 percent good, and 12 
percent excellent. Thirty-five percent of burley tobacco was blooming or beyond, 
which was behind both last year’s 51 percent and the 5 year average of 55 
percent. Seventeen percent of burley tobacco was topped, also behind both last 
year’s 20 percent and the 5 year average of 28 percent. Dark tobacco reported 
topped was 30 percent, compared with 50 percent for 2002 and 57
percent for the 5 year average.

OTHER CROPS: Hay baling and pasture clipping continued to be the major farming 
activities this past week. The condition of the hay crop was rated 1 percent 
very poor, 4 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 53 percent good, and 18 percent 
excellent. Pastures remain in good to excellent condition and were rated 1 
percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 58 percent good and 17 
percent excellent.

KENTUCKY WEATHER SUMMARY, JULY 21 - 27, 2003:

Below Normal Temperatures and Rainfall:

Temperatures for the period averaged 74 degrees across the State which was 3 
degrees below normal. High temperatures averaged from 86 in the West to 81 in 
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 3 degrees below 
normal in the West to 5 degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures 
averaged from 64 degrees in the West to 63 degrees in the East. Departure from 
normal low temperature ranged from 2 degrees below normal in the West to 1 
degree below normal in the East.

Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 0.90 inches statewide which was 
0.16 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.47 
inches, Central 1.68 inches, Bluegrass 0.70 inches and East 0.73 inches, which 
was -0.45, +0.57, -0.36 and -0.40 inches respectively from normal. By station, 
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.05 inches at Cape Girardeau to a 
high of 3.09 inches at Glasgow. Tom Priddy

---
Kentucky Crop Weather
Release Date, Week Ending Date
Week ending July 21, 2003


Issued 4:00 P.M., July 21, 2003 TNS 17-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: A frontal system moved across the State mid-week and provided 
beneficial rainfall, which was especially needed in the western part of the 
State. Rainfall for the week averaged 0.69 inches statewide which was 0.37 
inches below normal. The major farming activity this week included topping and 
cultivating tobacco, harvesting hay, and clipping pastures. Days suitable for 
fieldwork averaged 5.3 out of a possible seven days. Topsoil moisture as of 
Friday, July 18 was rated 2 percent very short, 24 percent short, 68 percent 
adequate and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 2 percent very short, 
20 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus.

CORN: Corn continues to show good growth across the State. As of Sunday, July 
20, 68 percent of the corn has silked or is silking, which was the same as last 
year’s percentage and behind the 5 year average of 78 percent. Thirty-eight 
percent of the crop was in milk stage or beyond, compared to last year’s 33 
percent and the 5 year average of 40 percent. Eighteen percent of the corn has 
reached the dough stage or beyond. This was ahead of last year’s 13 percent and 
the 5 year average of 17 percent. The emerged corn was in good to fair 
condition, with 3 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 38 
percent good, and 21 percent excellent.

SOYBEANS: Farmers were spraying soybeans for weeds this past week. As of Sunday, 
July 20, 22 percent of the soybeans were blooming and 4 percent were setting 
pods. Last year 31 percent were blooming and 9 percent were setting pods. The 5 
year average for soybeans blooming and setting pods were 41 and 16 percent 
respectively. Condition of emerged soybeans was rated 1 percent very poor, 7 
percent poor, 25 percent fair, 46 percent good, and 21 percent excellent.

TOBACCO: There were minimal reports of disease or insect problems for tobacco. 
The major concern is that plants were set late and are blooming before putting 
on much height. The rains brought weed growth and some low lying fields were 
flooded. As of Sunday, July 20, the condition of set tobacco was reported as 3 
percent very poor, 14 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 47 percent good, and 10 
percent excellent. Twenty-one percent of burley tobacco was blooming or beyond, 
which was behind both last year and average. Six percent of burley tobacco was 
topped, also behind last year and the 5 year average. Dark tobacco reported 
blooming or beyond was 36 percent, compared with 29 percent for 2002 and 41 
percent for the 5 year average.

OTHER CROPS: Until the rains came, hay baling was a major activity during the 
week. The condition of the hay crop was rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent 
poor, 27 percent fair, 54 percent good, 13 percent excellent. Pastures remain in 
fair to good condition and were rated 1 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 24 
percent fair, 49 percent good and 19 percent excellent.

Kentucky Weather Summary: For the Period July 14 to July 20, 2003

Near Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Rainfall:

Rainfall occurred across the Commonwealth of Kentucky last week as a frontal 
system moved across the state at mid-week. Unlike the previous several weeks, 
Western Kentucky also received some benefical rainfall.

Temperatures for the period averaged 76 degrees across the state which was near 
normal and 1 degree cooler than the previous week. High temperatures averaged 
from 88 in the West to 84 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures 
ranged from 1 degree below normal in the West to 2 degrees below normal in the 
East. Low temperatures averaged from 67 degrees in the West to 64 degrees in the 
East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 1 degree above normal in 
the West to near normal in the East. Extreme high and low temperatures ranged 
from the low to mid 60's to low 90's.

Rainfall for the week totaled 0.69 inches statewide which was 0.37 inches below 
normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 0.58 inches, Central 0.46 
inches, Bluegrass 1.09 inches and East 0.62 inches, which was -0.35, -0.65, 
+0.04 and -0.51 inches respectively from normal. By station, rainfall totals 
ranged from a low of 0.00 inches at Glasgow to a high of 2.16 inches at 
Louisville. 

---
Kentucky Crop Weather
Release Date, Week Ending Date
Week ending July 7, 2003

Issued 4:00 P.M., July 14, 2003 JMB 16-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: The central and eastern portions of Kentucky received rain, 
which was needed to benefit crops, the western part of the State is starting to 
need rain. The major farming activity this week included topping and cultivating 
tobacco, harvesting hay, and clipping pastures. Days suitable for fieldwork 
averaged 4.8 out of a possible seven days. Topsoil moisture as of Friday, July 
11 was rated 5 percent very short, 17 percent short, 63 percent adequate and 15 
percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 3 percent very short, 15 percent 
short, 69 percent adequate and 13 percent surplus.

CORN: Corn in the western part of the State was starting to need rain, otherwise 
the corn is doing well. As of Sunday, July 13, Fifty-seven percent of the corn 
has silked or is silking, compared to last year’s 56 percent and the 5 year 
average of 66 percent. Twenty-five percent was in milk stage or beyond, compared 
to last year’s 28 percent and the 5 year average of 19 percent. Eight percent of 
the corn has reached the dough stage or beyond, compared to the 5 year average 
of 3 percent. The emerged corn was in fair to excellent condition, with 2 
percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 40 percent good, and 26 
percent excellent.

SOYBEANS: Farmers were spraying the soybeans for weeds this week. As of Sunday, 
July 13, 8 percent of the soybeans were blooming and 1 percent were setting 
pods, last year 18 percent were blooming and 4 percent were setting pods. The 5 
year average for soybeans blooming and setting pods were 25 and 6 percent 
respectively. Condition of emerged soybeans was rated 1 percent very poor, 5 
percent poor, 27 percent fair, 42 percent good, and 25 percent excellent.

TOBACCO: There were minimal reports of disease or insect problems in the 
tobacco. The rains brought weed growth and some low lying fields were flooded. 
As of Sunday, July 13, the condition of set tobacco was reported as 3 percent 
very poor, 13 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 46 percent good, and 9 percent 
excellent. Tobacco height was reported at 62 percent under 24 inches tall, 28 
percent between 24 and 36 inches, and 10 percent over 36 inches high.

SMALL GRAINS: Wheat harvesting is nearly complete with 99 percent of the crop 
harvested as of July 13. The wheat harvest is comparable with last year’s 99 
percent and the average of 98 percent.

OTHER CROPS: Until the rains came, hay baling was a major activity during the 
week. The condition of the crop was rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 
24 percent fair, 44 percent good, 27 percent excellent. Pastures remain in good 
to excellent condition and were rated 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 22 
percent fair, 48 percent good and 23 percent excellent.

Kentucky Weather Summary: For the Period July 7 to July 13, 2003

Above Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Rainfall:

Very timely and, for the most part benefical rainfall occurred for much of the 
state during the mid to latter part of the workweek. Central, Bluegrass and 
Eastern sections of the state benefited greatest...while several weather 
stations in the Western section of the state received little or no rainfall for 
the 7 day period. Very intense downpours occurred, especially in Southcentral 
sections where 4 to 6 inches of rainfall was reported. Seasonably warm 
temperatures dominated the first half of the workweek with cooler temperatures 
for the remainder of the week.

Temperatures for the past week averaged 77 degrees across the state which was 1 
degree above normal. High temperatures averaged from 88 in the West to 84 in the 
East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degree below normal 
in the West to 2 degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged 
from 70 degrees in the West to 68 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low 
temperature ranged from 4 degrees above normal in the West to 3 degrees above 
normal in the East. Extreme high and low temperatures ranged in the low 90's 
and low 60's.

Rainfall for the week totaled 1.71 inches statewide which was 0.66 inches above 
normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 1.02 inches, Central 1.28 
inches, Bluegrass 2.56 inches and East 1.99 inches, which was 0.09, 0.17, 1.51 
and 0.86 inches respectively above normal. By station, precipitation totals 
ranged from a low of 0.00 inches at Paducah to a high of 4.60 inches at 
Somerset. 

---

Kentucky Crop Weather
Release Date, Week Ending Date
Week ending July 7, 2003
Issued 4:00 P.M., July 7, 2003 TNS 15-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: Heavy rains and severe storms hit the southeast part of th e 
Stat e in the early part of the week, but statewide rainfall was 0.52 inches 
below normal for the week. Temperatures were 1 degree above normal which 
combined to dry out topsoils. Farmers were able to get into their fields most of 
the week. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 6.0 out of a p ossible seven 
days. Topsoil moisture as of Friday, July 4 was rated 1 percent very short, 21 
percent short, 72 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was 
rated 9 percent short, 84 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus.

CORN: There were mixed reports about corn condition, but most were weather 
related. Generally most farmers seem optimistic ab out p otential yields if 
rainfall remains adequate. Some yellowing was reported in those areas that 
needed rain. The emerged corn was in fair to good condition, with 1 percent very 
poor, 7 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 43 percent good, and 24 percent 
excellent. Corn silked or silking was reported at 50 percent.

SOYBEANS: Emerged soybeans were being side dressed. Because of the rapid pace of 
the winter wheat harvest farmers were able to plant double-crop beans this past 
week. As of Sunday, July 6, about 96 percent of the crop had been planted, 
compared with 99 percent a year ago, and ahead of the 5 year average of 100 
percent. Fifty-seven percent of intended planted acreage had emerged, compared 
with 55 percent a year ago, and the average of 82 percent. Condition of emerged 
soybeans was rated 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 51 
percent good, and 24 percent excellent. Soybeans reported as blooming
was at 5 percent.

TOBACCO: There were some reports of blue mold and manganese toxicity, but the 
prevailing concern seems to be the appearance of black shank. There were reports 
from the eastern part of the State of tobacco just being set due to wet 
conditions. As of Sunday, July 6, the condition of set tobacco was reported as 1 
percent very poor, 11 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 44 percent good, and 12 
percent excellent. Tobacco height was reported at 59 percent under 12 inches 
tall, 32 percent between 12 and 24 inches, and 9 percent over 24 inches high.

SMALL GRAINS: Wheat harvesting was a primary activity in the western half of the 
State. Wheat combining was 92 percent complete compared with 67 percent 
completed a year ago and the average of 93 percent. Yields appear better than 
expected even though there is some docking due to head scab. There was some 
reports of 90 bushel wheat in the far western part of the State.

OTHER CROPS: Hay baling has been a major activity during the past week. A lot of 
hay was overly mature and of poor quality. Pastures remain in good to excellent 
condition and were rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 
54 percent good and 22 percent excellent.

Kentucky Weather Summary: For the Period June 30, to July 6, 2003

Slightly Above Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Rainfall:

The remnants of Tropical Storm Bill provided a glancing blow to the Commonwealth 
during the first half of the workweek with southeast sections receiving locally 
heavy rainfall and severe storms.  State to the south and east received the 
heaviest rainfall. Otherwise it was a summer-like weather pattern for the state 
with daily scattered showers and thunderstorms for most of the week.

Temperatures for this past week averaged 77 degrees across the state which was 1 
degree above normal and 5 degrees warmer than the previous week. High 
temperatures averaged from 88 in the West to 84 in the East. Departure from 
normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degree below normal in the West to 2 
degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 68 degrees in 
the West to 66 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged 
from 3 degrees above normal in the West to 2 degrees above normal in the East. 
Extreme high and low temperatures were in the low 90's and low to mid 60's 
respectively. The accumulation of growing degree days for corn (Base 50-mod.) 
totaled 165 gdd's which was right at normal (98%).

Rainfall for the period totaled 0.52 inches statewide which was 0.52 inches 
below normal. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 0.26 inches, Central 
0.58 inches, Bluegrass 0.27 inches and East 0.95 inches, which was 0.66, 0.49, 
0.77 and 0.15 inches respectively below normal. By station, rainfall totals 
ranged from a low of 0.00 inches at Lexington to a high of 3.07 inches at 
Nashville. 

---
ky-crop-weather
State
Kentucky Crop Weather
Release Date, Week Ending Date
Week ending June 30, 2003

Issued 4:00 P.M., June 30, 2003 JMB 14-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: Farmers saw sunshine throughout the week, allowing them to 
get into their fields for most of the week. This is a welcomed change from all 
of the rain we have received over the past months. Days suitable for fieldwork 
averaged 5.9 out of a possible seven. Topsoil moisture as of Friday, June 27 was 
rated 1 percent short, 91 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus. Subsoil 
moisture was rated 1 percent short, 89 percent adequate, and 10 percent surplus.

CORN: The corn mostly looks good, although behind last year and the 5 year 
average in growth. Corn tasseling is at 25 percent as of Sunday, June 29, 
compared to 42 percent last year, and 40 percent for the 5 year average. Corn 
silking is at 11 percent, compared to 28 percent last year, and 25 percent for 
the 5 year average. The condition of the corn improved this week, with 1 percent 
very poor, 4 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 60 percent good, and 13 percent 
excellent.

SOYBEANS: The sunshine allowed farmers to finish planting much of the remaining 
single crop soybeans and to plant double crop beans as wheat combining 
progresses. As of Sunday, June 29, about 82 percent of the crop had been 
planted, compared with 96 percent a year ago, and behind the 5 year average of 
89 percent. Fifty-five percent of the intended soybean acres have emerged, 
compared with 76 percent last year, and 80 percent for the 5 year average. 
Average height of the emerged plants were 7.0 inches. Condition of emerged 
soybeans also improved and was rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 25 
percent fair, 60 percent good, and 12 percent excellent.

TOBACCO: The good weather allowed farmers to catch up on setting or resetting 
their tobacco. There where a few reports of disease or other problems with the 
tobacco, otherwise the tobacco looks good. The condition of set tobacco was 
reported as 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 55 percent 
good, and 8 percent excellent. Tobacco plant growth was behind last year with 68 
percent under 12 inches tall, 25 percent between 12 and 24 inches, and 7 percent 
over 24 inches high.

SMALL GRAINS: Small grain harvest was in full swing with little or no rain for 
the entire week. Barley harvest was at 96 percent complete, compared with 99 
percent completed last year and the average of 98 percent. Wheat harvest was 67 
percent complete compared with 92 percent completed a year ago and the average 
of 84 percent. Farmers reported the wheat yields and test weights were better 
than expected, despite the delayed harvest.

OTHER CROPS: Clipping pastures and the cutting and baling hay were one of the 
many farm activities this week. Pastures remain in good to excellent condition 
and were rated, 2 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 55 percent good, and 25 percent 
excellent. Grain sorghum planted was 98 percent complete, compared to 94 percent 
last year, and 86 percent for the average.


Kentucky Climate Summary: For the Period June 23 to 29, 2003

BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND BELOW NORMAL RAINFALL:

Cooler and drier conditions dominated Kentucky weather this past week which was 
a significant change from the very wet conditions of the past 3 months. 
Mid-week high temperatures approached the 90's in Central and Eastern sections 
and exceeded 90 degrees in Western sections of the state. Cooler than normal 
temperatures occurred for the remainder of the week and light-to-moderate 
rainfall occurred during the end of the workweek. Preliminary analysis indicated 
this week wraps up the 8th wettest June and the 3rd wettest April, May and June 
in the past 108 years of record.

Temperatures for the period averaged 72 degrees across the state which was 2 
degrees below normal but 2 degrees warmer than the previous. Last week was the 7 
week straight with below normal temperatures. High temperatures averaged from 86 
in the West to 83 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged 
from 2 degrees below normal in the West to 2 degrees below normal in the East. 
Low temperatures averaged from 60 degrees in the West to 60 degrees in the East. 
Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 5 degrees below normal in the 
West to 4 degrees below normal in the East.

Rainfall for the period totaled 0.43 inches statewide which was 0.46 inches 
below normal which was nearly 50 percent of normal rainfall and followed three 
weeks with above normal rainfall. Rainfall totals by climate division, West 0.38 
inches, Central 0.72 inches, Bluegrass 0.37 inches and East 0.26 inches, which 
was 0.48, 0.20, 0.51 and 0.66 inches respectively below normal. By station, 
rainfall totals ranged from a low of 0.00 inches at Henderson to a high of 1.10 
inches at Bowling Green. 

---

ky-crop-weather
State
Kentucky Crop Weather
Release Date, Week Ending Date
Week ending June 22, 2003
Issue 
KY-CW2503


Agricultural Summary

Excessive rains fell across the State, causing 17 counties in
central and eastern Kentucky to be hit with mudslides and flash
floods. The western part of the State received little rain, but
the fields are still very wet. Farmers were able to get into
their fields towards the end of the week. Days suitable for
fieldwork averaged 2.6 out of a possible seven. Topsoil moisture
as of Friday, June 20 was rated 39 percent adequate and 61
percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 45 percent adequate
and 55 percent surplus.

Field Crops Report

CORN: There are some fields that are starting to see increased
corn borer activity. Farmers began side dressing the crop. The
early planted corn crop is starting to tassel. The emerged corn
was in fair to good condition, with 3 percent very poor, 10
percent poor, 31 percent fair, 38 percent good, and 18 percent
excellent. Some low lying fields were drowned out.

SOYBEANS: Emerged soybeans were being side dressed. Single crop
soybeans are being replanted this week. With the delay of the
winter wheat harvest, double crop soybeans planting will be
pushed back into July. As of Sunday, June 22, about 58 percent of
the crop had been planted, compared with 85 percent a year ago,
and behind the 5 yr average of 79 percent. Forty-four percent of
intended planted acreage had emerged, compared with 68 percent a
year ago, and the average of 72 percent. Average height of
emerged plants was 4 inches. Condition of emerged soybeans was
rated 3 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 51
percent good, and 9 percent excellent.

TOBACCO: Disease and insect problems have emerged due to the
continued wet weather. Some fields and low lying areas of tobacco
were drowned out. As of Sunday, June 22, 77 percent of the
intended burley acreage had been set, compared with 88 percent a
year ago and the average of 91 percent. Dark tobacco acreage was
93 percent set, comparable to last year and the 5 year average of
94 percent. Concerns about the availability of transplants in
some areas are increasing. Condition of set tobacco was reported
as 2 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 40 percent fair, 39
percent good, and 10 percent excellent. Tobacco plant growth
lagged due to the cold, wet weather with 81 percent under 12
inches tall, 17 percent between 12 and 24 inches, and 2 percent
over 24 inches high.

SMALL GRAINS: Small grain harvest restarted with little or no
rain at the end of the week. Barley harvest was at 93 percent
complete, compared with 98 percent completed last year and the
average of 96 percent. Wheat harvest was 24 percent complete
compared with 67 percent completed a year ago and the average of
56 percent. Yields and test weights declined due to the delayed
harvest and wet conditions.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report

Most of the hay has been rained on, and a lot of the first cut
hay has been lost or damaged. Twenty-five percent of the second
alfalfa cutting has been completed. Pastures remain in good to
excellent condition and were rated 1 percent very poor, 3 percent
poor, 15 percent fair, 45 percent good and 36 percent excellent.
Grain sorghum planted was 90 percent complete, compared to 86
percent last year, and 78 percent for the average.

Weather Summary

ABOVE NORMAL PRECIPITATION AND BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES:

The third week in a row with above normal rainfall amounts for
the State was punctuated by the arrival of a much drier airmass,
and a very welcome high pressure system by Friday. Rainfall and
cloud cover early in the week, worked to keep temperatures well
below normal seasonal levels, but the arrival of the first day of
summer, was welcomed by the dissipation of cloud cover thanks to
the afore-mentioned high pressure center, and thus the arrival of
plentiful amounts of sunshine, and much warmer temperatures by
week's end.

Temperatures for the period averaged 70 degrees across the State
which was 4 degrees below normal. High temperatures averaged from
83 in the West to 78 in the East. Departure from normal high
temperatures ranged from 5 degrees below normal in the West to 6
degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from
61 degrees in the West to 60 degrees in the East. Departure from
normal low temperature ranged from 3 degrees below normal in the
West to 3 degrees below normal in the East. Extreme temperatures
for the week were 48 and 89 at London and Paducah, respectively.

Rainfall for the period totaled 1.09 inches statewide which was
0.19 inches above normal. Precipitation totals by climate
division, West 0.18 inches, Central 1.29 inches, Bluegrass 0.88
inches and East 1.99 inches, which was -0.67, +0.38, +0.01 and
+1.07 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation
totals ranged from a low of 0.02 inches at Henderson to a high of
3.61 inches at Quicksand.

Weather Information Table

       ===============================================
                    |                 |              |
                    |     Rainfall    |  Dev. From   |
                    |=================|==============|
                    |      Since  Last| Norm   Norm  |
       Weather      |Last  April  Four| Since  Last  |
       Station      |Week    1    Wks.| Apr 1  4 Wks.|
       ===============================================
                          (Inches)
       Bardstown     0.66  17.79  4.45  +6.76  +0.90  
       Berea         0.42  17.93  7.46  +5.96  +3.63  
       Bowling Gree  3.01  18.52  8.05  +6.20  +4.04  
       Bristol       3.60  18.00  6.56  +8.20  +3.21  
       Buckhorn Lak  1.63  19.20  7.94  +8.30  +4.10  
       Cape Girarde  0.00  17.78  4.61  +5.62  +1.06  
       Campbellsvil  1.84  17.12  6.59  +4.14  +2.53  
       Covington     0.03  11.49  3.09  +0.64  -0.55  
       Cumberland G  2.41  18.38  5.77  +6.37  +1.72  
       Dix Dam       1.37  18.75  6.50  +7.10  +2.89  
       Evansville    0.01  12.16  2.47  +0.83  -1.01  
       Glasgow       2.33  17.36  7.12  +4.38  +2.77  
       Grayson       1.64  18.95  6.44  +8.24  +2.80  
       Hardinsburg   0.00  16.50  3.83  +4.54  +0.11  
       Henderson     0.02  16.45  4.65  +4.86  +0.99  
       Huntington    1.71  18.71  6.06  +8.14  +2.52  
       Jackson       1.12  17.98  8.34  +6.60  +4.67  
       Lexington     1.71  18.70  6.60  +7.67  +3.05  
       London        1.87  19.31  7.42  +8.48  +3.94  
       Louisville    0.08  16.26  2.70  +4.87  -0.73  
       Mayfield      0.48  14.59  3.84  +2.06  +0.40  
       Nashville     0.29  14.31  3.13  +2.44  -0.43  
       Nolin Lake    1.68  17.51  5.92  +4.63  +1.98  
       Paducah       0.46  16.74  4.57  +3.82  +0.64  
       Princeton     0.13  16.83  5.28  +4.25  +1.50  
       Quicksand     3.61  23.77 12.55 +12.39  +8.88  
       Somerset      1.89  21.95 10.17  +9.42  +6.08  
       Spindletop    1.18  14.55  5.18  +3.52  +1.63  
       Williamstown  0.60  11.62  3.46  +0.30  -0.16  
       ===============================================
       ===============================================
                    |                 |    Growing
                    | Air Temperature |  Degree Days
                    |=================|===============
                    |             Dev.|     Since Dev.
       Weather      |       Wkly. From|Last  Apr Since
       Station      |Hi  Lo  Avg. Norm|Week   1  Apr 1
       ===============================================
                        (Degrees F)
       Bardstown     84  49  70.7  -3  144  1194   -55
       Berea         82  50  70.3  -3  141  1212   -68
       Bowling Gree  85  52  71.7  -2  150  1299    -3
       Bristol       80  49  68.5  -5  129  1151   -15
       Buckhorn Lak  81  49  68.7  -4  131  1161   +39
       Cape Girarde  87  51  71.6  -4  149  1251  -104
       Campbellsvil  85  49  71.5  -3  149  1304   +46
       Covington     82  49  68.2  -5  126  1008  -106
       Cumberland G  81  50  69.8  -3  138  1203   +59
       Dix Dam       82  50  70.1  -3  141  1184   -65
       Evansville    86  51  72.5  -3  156  1176   -96
       Glasgow       88  50  72.7  -1  156  1377  +157
       Grayson       82  50  68.1  -5  124  1129   +68
       Hardinsburg   84  50  70.5  -4  141  1224   -78
       Henderson     84  51  70.9  -5  146  1243   -59
       Huntington    83  50  67.9  -5  122  1122   -22
       Jackson       81  49  68.1  -5  126  1112   -10
       Lexington     82  50  69.3  -4  133  1113   -23
       London        81  48  69.7  -3  138  1146    +2
       Louisville    83  52  70.3  -4  139  1183   -89
       Mayfield      82  50  70.2  -6  141  1190  -173
       Nashville     84  57  73.1  -1  161  1370   -15
       Nolin Lake    85  51  71.5  -3  148  1294   +89
       Paducah       89  52  72.9  -3  156  1297   -58
       Princeton     86  52  72.2  -4  154  1311   -21
       Quicksand     81  49  68.4  -5  127  1172   +50
       Somerset      83  48  70.1  -3  140  1217   -10
       Spindletop    81  51  68.5  -5  129  1077   -59
       Williamstown  84  50  69.6  -4  136  1153   +17
       =================================================

Crop Progress Table
                              This   Prev.  5-Yr.
                              Week   Yr.    Avg.
Soybeans
  Planted                      58     85     79
  Emerged                      44     68     72

Sorghum
  Planted                      90     86     78

Barley
  Harvested                    93     98     96

Wheat
  Harvested                    24     67     56

Burley Tobacco Set             77     88     91
Dark Tobacco Set               93     94     94

Crop Condition Table
                     Very
                     Poor    Poor     Fair    Good   Exc.

Corn                   3      13       29      39     16
Soybeans               2       7       35      47      9
Wheat                  1      13       34      34     18
Pasture                0       2       12      56     30 
Set Tobacco            1      11       32      45     11

---

ky-crop-weather

State
Kentucky Crop Weather

Release Date, Week Ending Date
Week ending June 15, 2003

Issue 
KY-CW2403


Agricultural Summary

Rain shut down most field activities this week. Rainfall for the
week ranged from 1 to 6 inches and averaged 2.58 inches
statewide. Temperatures were slightly below normal making five
consecutive weeks of below normal temperatures. Days suitable for
fieldwork averaged only 1.9 out of a possible seven. Heavy rains
caused ponding in fields along with some erosion problems. A few
fields have been planted twice and have been drowned out again.
Some corn fields will not be replanted while a few producers may
be able to shift acreage to sorghum. Topsoil moisture as of
Friday, June 13 was rated 25 percent adequate and 75 percent
surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 36 percent adequate and 64
percent surplus. The continued wet weather stopped small grain
and hay harvest and raised concerns that some tobacco may not be
set this year.

Field Crops Report

CORN: Heavy rains produced standing water in corn fields again
this week. About 94 percent of the planted acreage had emerged,
compared with 97 percent for both last year and the average.
Emerged corn was in fair to good condition, with 3 percent very
poor, 13 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 39 percent good and 16
percent excellent. Rain has made weed control difficult. Excess
moisture has caused nitrogen leaching with some corn turning
yellow.

SOYBEANS: Very few soybeans were planted this week. Rain stopped
the small grain harvest which is delaying seeding of double crop
beans. The soybean crop remains one to two weeks behind normal.
As of Sunday, June 15, about 54 percent of the crop had been
seeded, compared with 65 percent a year ago, and behind the
average of 70 percent. Only 39 percent of planted acreage had
emerged, compared with 54 percent a year ago, and the average of
59. Average height of emerged plants was 3 inches. Condition of
emerged soybeans was rated 2 percent very poor, 7 percent poor,
35 percent fair, 47 percent good, and 9 percent excellent.

TOBACCO: Wet soils made transplanting tobacco difficult this
week. As of Sunday, June 15, 65 percent of the intended burley
acreage had been set, compared with 85 percent a year ago and the
average of 87 percent. Dark tobacco acreage was 85 percent set.
Concerns about the availability of transplants are increasing.
Controlling size and quality of plants in plant beds is becoming
a major problem. Disease and pest problems are starting to show
up. Condition of set tobacco was reported as 1 percent very poor,
11 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 45 percent good, and 11 percent
excellent. Tobacco plants showed little growth this week with 91
percent under 12 inches tall, and 9 percent over 12 inches high.

SMALL GRAINS: Small grain harvest made very little progress due
to the wet weather. Barley harvest remained at 55 percent
complete, compared with 92 percent completed last year and the
average of 83. Wheat harvest was 6 percent complete compared with
17 percent completed a year ago and the average of 21. Lodging is
starting to become a problem in wet fields. Head scab and
fusarium wilt may affect yield and quality. As of Friday, June
13, wheat condition was reported as 1 percent very poor, 13
percent poor, 34 percent fair, 34 percent good and 18 percent
excellent. 

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report

Producers are looking for ways to conserve the first cutting of
hay. Wrapping bales in plastic and making haylage are some of the
methods used. Much hay cut has been rained on. If producers were
not able to remove the hay, second crop growth will be slowed.
Pastures remain in good to excellent condition and were rated 2
percent poor, 12 percent fair, 56 percent good and 30 percent
excellent. Grain sorghum planting was 56 percent complete by the
end of the week.

Weather Summary

BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND ABOVE NORMAL RAINFALL:

Much above normal rainfall for the second week in a row, as a
potent frontal system approached the area by Wednesday, and
lingered through the weekend. This week's rainfall not only
brought further delays to field work, but also brought the
State's rainfall total to 17.71 inches from April 1st through
June 15th. Even with no more rain through the end of June, this
April, May, and June would be ranked as the 7th wettest on
record, but with more rain expected over the next couple of
weeks, this number is expected to change. 

Temperatures for the period averaged 72 degrees across the State
which was 1 degree below normal, making it 8 degrees warmer than
the previous week, but the fifth week in a row with below normal
temperatures. High temperatures averaged from 81 in the West to
80 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged
from 6 degrees below normal in the West to 2 degrees below normal
in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 64 degrees in the
West to 63 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low
temperature ranged from 1 degree above normal in the West to 1
degree above normal in the East. Extreme highs and lows for the
period were 87 and 42, at Glasgow and Berea, respectively.

Rainfall for the period totaled 2.58 inches statewide which was
1.69 inches above normal. Precipitation totals by climate
division, West 3.33 inches, Central 2.07 inches, Bluegrass 1.86
inches and East 3.05 inches, which was 2.47, 1.15, 0.99 and 2.13
inches, respectively, above normal. By station, precipitation
totals ranged from a low of 0.76 inches at Spindletop to a high
of 5.99 inches at Quicksand.

Weather Information Table
       ===============================================
                    |                 |              |
                    |     Rainfall    |  Dev. From   |
                    |=================|==============|
                    |      Since  Last| Norm   Norm  |
       Weather      |Last  April  Four| Since  Last  |
       Station      |Week    1    Wks.| Apr 1  4 Wks.|
       ===============================================
                          (Inches)
       Bardstown     1.25  17.13  4.75  +6.95  +1.05  
       Berea         4.44  17.51  7.68  +6.46  +3.69  
       Bowling Gree  3.20  15.51  5.54  +4.17  +1.38  
       Bristol       1.43  14.40  3.84  +5.43  +0.43  
       Buckhorn Lak  3.50  17.57  6.79  +7.63  +2.99  
       Cape Girarde  3.46  17.78  5.64  +6.42  +1.73  
       Campbellsvil  2.26  15.28  5.46  +3.27  +1.20  
       Covington     1.34  11.46  3.48  +1.51  -0.23  
       Cumberland G  1.74  15.97  4.01  +4.95  -0.14  
       Dix Dam       2.32  17.38  6.07  +6.58  +2.25  
       Evansville    1.43  12.15  3.38  +1.64  -0.36  
       Glasgow       1.57  15.03  5.25  +3.12  +0.83  
       Grayson       1.45  17.31  5.48  +7.50  +1.77  
       Hardinsburg   2.59  16.50  4.57  +5.43  +0.63  
       Henderson     3.64  16.43  5.83  +5.72  +2.03  
       Huntington    0.99  17.00  4.58  +7.29  +0.94  
       Jackson       4.10  16.86  7.48  +6.37  +3.69  
       Lexington     1.38  16.99  5.75  +6.81  +2.05  
       London        2.91  17.44  5.83  +7.45  +2.23  
       Louisville    1.37  16.18  3.40  +5.60  -0.27  
       Mayfield      2.95  14.11  4.36  +2.37  +0.57  
       Nashville     1.30  14.02  3.34  +2.98  -0.49  
       Nolin Lake    2.45  15.83  4.81  +3.86  +0.55  
       Paducah       3.78  16.28  5.34  +4.31  +1.24  
       Princeton     4.71  16.70  6.05  +5.02  +2.04  
       Quicksand     5.99  20.16 10.00  +9.67  +6.21  
       Somerset      3.72  20.06  9.74  +8.52  +5.49  
       Spindletop    0.76  13.37  5.05  +3.19  +1.35  
       Williamstown  0.94  11.02  3.77  +0.57  +0.04  
       ===============================================
       ===============================================
                    |                 |    Growing
                    | Air Temperature |  Degree Days
                    |=================|===============
                    |             Dev.|     Since Dev.
       Weather      |       Wkly. From|Last  Apr Since
       Station      |Hi  Lo  Avg. Norm|Week   1  Apr 1
       ===============================================
                        (Degrees F)
       Bardstown     82  56  71.5  -1  149  1050   -45
       Berea         82  42  67.1  -5  120  1071   -55
       Bowling Gree  86  54  72.9  +0  158  1149    +8
       Bristol       87  54  71.4  -1  148  1022    +3
       Buckhorn Lak  81  55  71.4  -1  149  1030   +41
       Cape Girarde  85  52  73.1  -2  160  1102   -85
       Campbellsvil  84  49  71.0  -2  146  1155   +44
       Covington     81  56  70.1  -2  139   882   -92
       Cumberland G  84  54  71.8  -0  150  1065   +61
       Dix Dam       82  52  69.9  -2  136  1043   -52
       Evansville    82  58  73.0  -2  160  1020   -91
       Glasgow       87  52  73.1  +0  160  1221  +155
       Grayson       82  55  71.6  -0  149  1005   +77
       Hardinsburg   84  57  72.3  -1  153  1083   -58
       Henderson     82  59  72.6  -2  157  1097   -44
       Huntington    83  55  71.6  -0  149  1000    -4
       Jackson       81  56  71.6  -0  150   986    -3
       Lexington     82  55  71.6  -0  150   980    -9
       London        82  52  70.9  -1  145  1008    +4
       Louisville    83  58  72.3  -1  154  1044   -67
       Mayfield      82  55  71.8  -3  151  1049  -153
       Nashville     85  57  73.8  +1  165  1209    -8
       Nolin Lake    84  54  72.6  -0  156  1146   +81
       Paducah       85  55  73.0  -2  159  1141   -46
       Princeton     85  53  71.9  -3  152  1157   -14
       Quicksand     81  56  71.6  -0  149  1045   +56
       Somerset      83  51  71.3  -1  148  1077    -3
       Spindletop    81  58  71.9  -0  151   948   -41
       Williamstown  85  54  72.1  +0  152  1017   +28
       =================================================

Crop Progress Table
                              This   Prev.  5-Yr.
                              Week   Yr.    Avg.
Corn
  Emerged                      94     97     97

Soybeans
  Planted                      54     65     70
  Emerged                      39     54     59

Sorghum
  Planted                      56     69     70

Barley
  Harvested                    55     92     83

Wheat
  Harvested                     6     17     21

Burley Tobacco Set             65     85     87
Dark Tobacco Set               85     89     89

Crop Condition Table
                     Very
                     Poor    Poor     Fair    Good   Exc.

Corn                   3      13       29      39     16
Soybeans               2       7       35      47      9
Wheat                  1      13       34      34     18
Pasture                0       2       12      56     30 
Set Tobacco            1      11       32      45     11


---

Issued 4:00 P.M., June 9, 2003 

RPT 11-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: Temperatures were below normal for the fourth consecutive 
week. Crops made good progress in Western Kentucky where moisture totals were 
below average. Central and Eastern Kentucky had above normal rainfall which 
delayed planting and hampered crop progress. Whenever possible, farmers were 
setting tobacco, planting corn and soybeans, and putting up hay. Days suitable 
for fieldwork averaged 3.5 out of a possible seven. Topsoil moisture as of 
Friday, June 6 was rated 1 percent short, 55 percent adequate and 44 percent 
surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1 percent short, 57 percent adequate and 42 
percent surplus. Rain has limited the effectiveness of weed control measures. 
Hay making remains difficult with repeated rain. A week of warm and dry 
conditions would be most welcome.

CORN: Corn planting progressed to 94 percent completed by Sunday, June 8, 
compared with 96 percent a year ago and the five-year average of 98. About 86 
percent of the planted acreage had emerged, compared with 90 percent a year ago, 
and the average of 93 percent. Emerged corn was in fair to good condition, with 
3 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 41 percent good and 17 
percent excellent. Height of the most advanced fields averaged 35 inches 
statewide, while average height of emerged corn was 20 inches. Some corn drowned 
out in low lying areas may be replanted, and some fields may be switched to 
sorghum. A few producers may not be able to plant their corn.

SOYBEANS: Soybean planting progressed well in western areas, but was slow where 
producers were concentrating on getting corn planted and tobacco set. The 
soybean crop is one to two weeks behind normal. As of Sunday, June 8, about 44 
percent of the crop had been seeded, compared with 54 percent a year ago, but 
well behind the average of 65 percent. Only 23 percent of planted acreage had 
emerged, compared with 39 percent a year ago, and the average of 50. Condition 
of emerged soybeans was rated 2 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 48 percent good, 
and 18 percent excellent.

TOBACCO: As of Sunday, June 8, 60 percent of the intended burley acreage had 
been set, compared with 73 percent a year ago and the average of 78 percent. 
Dark tobacco acreage was 80 percent set, compared with 78 percent last year and 
the average of 64. Controlling size and quality of plants in plant beds is 
difficult. The availability of transplants is becoming a concern. Disease and 
pest problems remain minor except in a few areas. Condition of set tobacco was 
reported as 5 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 54 percent good, and 15 percent 
excellent. Most tobacco plants remain small with 94 percent under 12 inches 
tall, and 6 percent over 12 inches high.

SMALL GRAINS: Barley harvest is in full swing with 55 percent of the harvest 
complete, compared with 47 percent completed for both last year and the average. 
Wheat harvest is just beginning with 6 percent of the crop harvested. Some areas 
are concerned that head scab may affect yield and quality. As of Friday, June 6, 
wheat condition was reported as 2 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 30 percent 
fair, 36 percent good and 20 percent excellent.

OTHER CROPS: Hay making was slow due to continued poor curing conditions. Almost 
all hay is too mature for optimum quality. Hay baled too wet is heating up and 
mold is also a concern. Pastures remain in good to excellent condition and were 
rated 2 percent poor, 11 percent fair, 52 percent good and 35 percent excellent. 
Grain sorghum planting was in full swing during the week with 54 percent of
intended acres planted.

Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period June 2 to June 8, 2003

BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND ABOVE NORMAL PRECIPITATION

Weekly temperatures were held below normal across the state with the help of 
cloud cover, rainfall, and the passage of two cold fronts - one early in the 
week, and one into the weekend. Between the two fronts, temperatures managed to 
return to near normal levels by mid-week, before dipping slightly again into the 
weekend with the passage of the second front. Heavier rainfall amounts in 
association with this week's systems fell in central and eastern sections of the 
state, leaving the western sections of the state with below normal rainfall 
amounts.

Temperatures for the period averaged 64 degrees across the state which was 7 
degrees below normal, and was 1 degree warmer than the previous week. It was 
also the fourth week in a row with below normal temperatures. High temperatures 
averaged from 74 in the West to 73 in the East. Departure from normal high 
temperatures ranged from 11 degrees below normal in the West to 8 degrees below 
normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 56 degrees in the West to 54 
degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged from 6 degrees 
below normal in the West to 6 degrees below normal in the East. Extreme 
temperatures for the week were 84 and 42 in Glasgow and London, respectively.

Rainfall for the past week totaled 1.62 inches statewide which was 0.72 inches 
above normal, and followed two weeks of below normal rainfall. Precipitation 
totals by climate division, West 0.56 inches, Central 1.79 inches, Bluegrass 
2.10 inches and East 2.02 inches, which was -0.30, +0.87, +1.23 and +1.10 inches 
respectively from normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 
0.19 inches at Princeton to a high of 3.16 inches at Lexington.

---

Kentucky Crop Weather
Issued 4:00 P.M., June 2, 2003 RPT 10-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: A few areas of Kentucky dried out enough to plant corn and 
soybeans and set tobacco at the end of the week. Cloud cover and the third 
straight week of below normal temperatures left some soils too wet for planting 
crops, especially in low lying areas. Most areas are experiencing problems with 
hay harvest as the crop is well past optimal maturity and curing conditions have 
been poor. The planting season is more than a week behind normal. Days suitable 
for fieldwork averaged 3.5 out of a possible seven. A few fields damaged by 
floods and storms will need to be replanted. Topsoil moisture as of Friday, May 
30 was rated 57 percent adequate and 43 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was 
rated 1 percent short, 58 percent adequate and 41 percent surplus.

CORN: Corn planting progressed to 86 percent completed by Sunday, June 1, 
compared with 77 percent a year ago and the five-year average of 92. About 80 
percent of the planted acreage had emerged, compared with 63 percent a year ago, 
and the average of 84 percent. Emerged corn was in fair to good condition, with 
3 percent very poor, 11 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 41 percent good and 12 
percent excellent. Height of the most advanced fields averaged 25 inches 
statewide, while average height of emerged corn was 14 inches.

SOYBEANS: Soybean planting progress was slow as producers planted corn and set 
tobacco when possible. As of Sunday, June 1, about 23 percent of the crop had 
been seeded, the same as last year, but well behind the average of 52 percent. 
Only 14 percent of planted acreage had emerged, compared with 13 percent a year 
ago, and behind the average of 38. Condition of emerged soybeans was rated 4 
percent poor, 42 percent fair, 45 percent good, and 9 percent excellent.

TOBACCO: As of Sunday, June 1, 41 percent of the intended burley acreage had 
been set compared with 52 percent a year ago and the average of 61 percent. Dark 
tobacco acreage was 56 percent set, compared with 41 percent last year and the 
average of 61. Controlling size and quality of plants in plant beds is becoming 
very difficult. Some producers are concerned about the quality and availability 
of transplants. Disease and pest problems seem to be minor except in a few 
areas. Condition of set tobacco was reported as 5 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 
56 percent good, and 14 percent excellent.

SMALL GRAINS: Barley harvest is underway with 12 percent of the harvest 
complete. Wheat harvest is expected to begin next week. Water damage had been 
reported in a few areas, along with some concern that head scab may affec t 
yield and quality. As of Friday, May 30, wheat condition was reported as 2 
percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 49 percent good and 20 
percent excellent.

OTHER CROPS: Hay harvest made slow progress due to poor curing conditions. The 
quality of the crop is a major concern as much of cut hay has been rained on. 
Some producers are wrapping bales to keep them dry or making haylage. Condition 
of the hay crops was reported as 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 15 percent 
fair, 54 percent good and 26 percent excellent. Pasture s were in good to 
excellent condition and were rated 2 percent poor, 11 percent fair, 54 percent 
good and 30 percent excellent. Grain sorghum planting was in full swing during 
the week with 32 percent of intended acres planted.
---
Kentucky Climate Summary: For the Period May 26 to June 01, 2003

BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND BELOW NORMAL RAINFALL:
 
The second week with below normal rainfall and the 3rd week of May with below 
normal temperatures. For the month, however...statewide rainfall totals ranked 
May 2003 as the 8th wettest May on record for the Commonwealth. And, after a very wet 
April...the combined rainfall for the 2 month period ranked as the 5th wettest 
April and May on record. Rain statewide at mid-week delayed field activities 
once again. However, total rainfall amounts with the system were not 
overwhelming, and dry conditions late in the week provided some opportunity to 
dry out soils for the central and western sections of the state. Northern and 
Eastern sections of the state saw another shot of rain by the weekend. An 
upper-level trough, which helped to bring the rainfall to the area through the 
week, also brought (along with plenty of cloudcover) unseasonably cool 
temperatures to the region for the third week in a row.

Temperatures for the period averaged 63 degrees across the state which was 7 
degrees below normal. High temperatures averaged from 75 in the West to 70 in 
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 9 degrees below 
normal in the West to 9 degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures 
averaged from 53 degrees in the West to 53 degrees in the East. Departure from 
normal low temperature ranged from 7 degrees below normal in the West to 6 
degrees below normal in the East. Extreme temperatures for the week were 81 and 
43 at Glasgow and Henderson, respectively.

Rainfall for the period totaled 0.40 inches statewide which was 0.64 inches 
below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.17 inches, 
Central 0.19 inches, Bluegrass 0.53 inches and East 0.69 inches, which was 0.90, 
0.89, 0.47 and 0.30 inches respectively below normal. By station, precipitation 
totals ranged from a low of 0.01 inches at Mayfield to a high of 
1.00 inches at Jackson.

---
Issued 4:00 P.M., May 27, 2003 
JAO 9-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: Farmers were anxious to get into their fields as the wet 
weather continued to put them behind schedule. Temperatures for the period 
averaged 62 degrees, 6 degrees below normal and 3 degrees cooler than the 
previous week. Rainfall totaled 0.78 inches statewide, which was 0.28 inches 
below normal. The main farming activities included cutting hay, equipment 
maintenance, and field preparation where possible. Topsoil moisture , as of 
Friday, May 23, was rated 34 percent adequate and 66 percent surplus. Subsoil 
moisture , was rated 54 percent adequate, and 46 percent surplus. Days suitable 
for fieldwork averaged 1.9 out of a possible 7 days.

SMALL GRAINS: As of Friday, May 23, wheat condition was rated 1 percent very 
poor, 9 percent poor, 31 percent fair, 39 percent good, and 20 percent 
excellent. Farmers continued to report increased grain lodging and disease due 
to the wet weather. The earliest date farmers expect wheat harvest to begin is 
June 16th. Harvest of the barley crop is expected to begin around June 4th.

TOBACCO: Farmers were setting their burley and dark tobacco as soil conditions 
permitted. As of Sunday, May 25, burley tobacco set was 24 percent, 4 percent 
behind the previous year, and 17 percent behind average. Dark tobacco was 28 
percent set, 4 percent ahead of the previous year, and 16 percent behind 
average. Condition of crop was 5 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 27 percent 
fair, 50 percent good, and 16 percent excellent. Some farmers are still having 
to mow their tobacco transplants due to its height and their inability to set 
plants.

CORN AND SOYBEANS: Planting progress continued to be hampered last week by 
rainfall and flooded field conditions. As of Sunday, May 25, farmers had planted 
84 percent of their intended corn acreage, 16 percent ahead of last year, and 4 
percent behind average. Emerged corn was 76 percent, compared to 57 percent last 
year and the five year average of 76 percent. Average emerged corn height was 11 
inches with the most advanced fields 18 inches tall. As of Friday, the corn 
emerged condition rated 1 percent very poor, 10 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 
40 percent good and 17 percent excellent. Soybeans were 15 percent planted, 1 
percent ahead of last year, and 24 percent behind average. Eight percent of the 
crop had emerged.

OTHER CROPS: Farmers continued to be unable to harvest hay due to excess 
moisture. Hay crop condition was 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 20 percent 
fair, 48 percent good, and 26 percent excellent. Pasture condition was rated 1 
percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 53 percent good, and 31 
percent excellent. Grain sorghum was 9 percent planted, compared to 14 percent
last year, and the five year average of 40 percent.

Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period May 19 to May 25, 2003
 
BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND BELOW NORMAL RAINFALL:
 
Temperatures for the period averaged 62 degrees across the state which was 6 
degrees below normal. High temperatures averaged from 71 in the West to 69 in 
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 11 degrees below 
normal in the West to 8 degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures 
averaged from 54 degrees in the West to 55 degrees in the East. Departure from 
normal low temperature ranged from 4 degrees below normal in the West to 2 
degrees below normal in the East.
 
Rainfall for the period totaled 0.78 inches statewide which was 0.28 inches 
below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 1.01 inches, 
Central 0.67 inches, Bluegrass 0.80 inches and East 0.64 inches, which was 0.10, 
0.44, 0.22 and 0.37 inches respectively below normal. By station, precipitation 
totals ranged from a low of 0.23 inches at Huntington to a high of 1.46 inches 
at Somerset.

================================================================================
             |                 |              |                 |    Growing    
             |     Rainfall    |  Dev. From   | Air Temperature |  Degree Days  
             |=================|==============|=================|===============
             |      Since  Last| Norm   Norm  |             Dev.|     Since Dev.
Weather      |Last  April  Four| Since  Last  |       Wkly. From|Last  Apr Since
Station      |Week    1    Wks.| Apr 1  4 Wks.|Hi  Lo  Avg. Norm|Week   1  Apr 1
================================================================================
                   (Inches)                       (Degrees F)                   
         
Bardstown     0.96  13.34  7.61  +5.86  +3.62  73  45  61.2  -7   80   711   +36 
Berea         0.64  10.47  6.22  +2.33  +1.91  78  45  64.1  -3  100   762   +62 
Bowling Gree  0.50  10.47  5.24  +2.17  +0.82  78  47  62.7  -5   89   781   +81 
Bristol       0.88  11.44  5.16  +4.99  +1.68  77  49  64.2  -3   98   669   +49 
Buckhorn Lak  0.48  11.26  5.20  +4.20  +1.51  73  50  62.6  -5   86   712   +92 
Cape Girarde  1.03  13.17  9.59  +4.55  +4.96  80  45  62.5  -8   89   735   +10 
Campbellsvil  0.71  10.53  5.42  +1.60  +0.76  78  45  63.7  -4   98   808  +108 
Covington     0.42   8.40  6.53  +1.20  +2.70  77  40  60.4  -7   76   593    +3 
Cumberland G  0.65  12.61  5.34  +4.65  +1.05  75  52  63.4  -4   92   713   +93 
Dix Dam       0.94  12.25  7.67  +4.21  +3.43  74  44  61.6  -6   84   723   +48 
Evansville    0.92   9.69  6.06  +1.84  +1.83  75  47  61.1  -9   79   675    +5 
Glasgow       0.46  10.24  5.27  +1.61  +0.73  81  45  65.1  -3  107   845  +205 
Grayson       0.68  12.51  8.72  +5.44  +4.92  74  47  60.5  -7   73   676  +111 
Hardinsburg   0.74  12.67  7.18  +4.43  +2.82  77  47  61.1  -7   80   736   +36 
Henderson     1.20  11.80  7.34  +3.87  +3.24  76  47  62.1  -8   86   732   +32 
Huntington    0.23  12.65  8.87  +5.61  +5.07  79  47  61.3  -6   80   666   +46 
Jackson       0.26   9.64  4.55  +1.93  +0.53  78  50  61.4  -6   78   674   +54 
Lexington     0.86  12.10  8.31  +4.62  +4.32  79  44  61.9  -5   85   652   +62 
London        0.28  11.89  5.82  +4.53  +1.99  77  46  62.4  -5   86   691   +71 
Louisville    0.78  13.56  7.50  +5.60  +3.35  79  47  61.8  -6   83   692   +22 
Mayfield      0.01   8.86  3.79  -0.23  -0.76  75  47  62.4  -8   86   709   -46 
Nashville     0.50  11.18  6.49  +2.87  +2.12  76  52  63.8  -4   95   815   +60 
Nolin Lake    0.57  11.59  6.02  +2.64  +1.15  74  47  62.1  -6   86   784  +109 
Paducah       1.23  12.17  7.21  +3.18  +2.73  78  48  63.5  -7   94   772   +47 
Princeton     0.90  11.55  6.04  +2.75  +1.56  76  46  63.4  -7   95   795   +65 
Quicksand     1.06  11.22  6.26  +3.51  +2.24  73  50  62.7  -4   87   728  +108 
Somerset      1.46  11.78  5.49  +3.34  +0.97  76  45  62.9  -4   93   749   +74 
Spindletop    1.05   9.37  6.36  +1.89  +2.37  72  45  59.5  -8   67   627   +37 
Williamstown  0.91   8.16  5.80  +0.45  +1.83  78  42  62.5  -5   90   689   +99 


---

ky-crop-weather
State
Kentucky Crop Weather
Release Date, Week Ending Date
Week ending May 18, 2003
Issue 
KY-CW2003


Agricultural Summary

Rain continued to limit most spring farming activities as fields
were generally too wet for planting and setting. Temperatures
averaged 65 degrees, 2 degrees below normal and 6 degrees cooler
than the previous week. Rainfall totaled 1.53 inches statewide,
0.46 inches above normal. Main farm work included cutting hay,
equipment maintenance, cattle handling, and field preparation
where possible. Topsoil moisture, as of Friday, May 16, was rated
38 percent adequate and 62 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture, was
rated 1 percent short, 49 percent adequate, and 50 percent
surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 2.5 out of a
possible 7 days.

Field Crops Report

SMALL GRAINS: As of Friday, May 16, wheat condition was rated 1
percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 45 percent
good, and 25 percent excellent. Some farmers report minimal small
grain lodging and disease despite elevated moisture levels and
locally strong winds.

TOBACCO: As of Sunday, May 18, burley tobacco set was 12 percent,
3 percent ahead of the previous year, and 11 percent behind
average. Dark tobacco was 11 percent set, 4 percent ahead of the
previous year, and 13 percent behind average. Condition of the
set tobacco crop was 4 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 56 percent
good, and 11 percent excellent. Some farmers are having to mow
their tobacco due to its height and their inability to set
plants.

CORN AND SOYBEANS: Planting progress continued to be slowed last
week by rainfall and flooded field conditions. As of Sunday, May
18, corn producers have planted 76 percent of their acres, 22
percent ahead of last year, and 3 percent behind average. Corn
emerged was 67 percent, 20 percent ahead of last year, and equal
to the 5 year average. Corn emerged condition rated 2 percent
very poor, 10 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 40 percent good and
15 percent excellent. Soybeans were 11 percent planted, 6 percent
ahead of last year, and 14 percent behind average.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report

Farmers continued to be unable to harvest hay due to the rainy
conditions. Hay crop condition was 1 percent very poor, 3 percent
poor, 18 percent fair, 53 percent good, and 25 percent excellent.
Pasture condition was rated 3 percent poor, 14 percent fair, 52
percent good, and 31 percent excellent. The strawberry crop was
32 percent small, 47 percent medium, 21 percent large. Grain
sorghum was 7 percent planted, 6 percent ahead of the previous
year, and 16 percent behind average.

Weather Summary

SLIGHTLY BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND ABOVE NORMAL RAINFALL:

Slightly below normal temperatures without rain to start the
week, with a transition to near normal temperatures and daily
rainfall for the remainder of the week. For the second week in a
row, a slow moving frontal system rolled across the region. This
caused a re-soaking of already moist soils, and another week of
limited field activity. So far this May, the State as a whole,
has seen 5.80 inches of rainfall, which was almost twice the
normal amount. 

Temperatures for the period averaged 65 degrees across the State
which was 2 degrees below normal. High temperatures averaged from
75 in the West to 71 in the East. Departure from normal high
temperatures ranged from 6 degrees below normal in the West to 4
degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from
57 degrees in the West to 54 degrees in the East. Departure from
normal low temperature ranged from 1 degree above normal in the
West to near normal in the East. Extreme temperatures for the
week were 81 and 43 at Paducah and Quicksand, respectively.

Rainfall for the period totaled 1.53 inches statewide which was
0.46 inches above normal. Precipitation totals by climate
division, West 1.60 inches, Central 1.30 inches, Bluegrass 1.28
inches and East 1.92 inches, which was 0.49, 0.20, 0.26 and 0.92
inches respectively above normal. By station, precipitation
totals ranged from a low of 0.52 inches at Covington to a high of
2.57 inches at London.

Weather Information Table

       ===============================================
                    |                 |              |
                    |     Rainfall    |  Dev. From   |
                    |=================|==============|
                    |      Since  Last| Norm   Norm  |
       Weather      |Last  April  Four| Since  Last  |
       Station      |Week    1    Wks.| Apr 1  4 Wks.|
       ===============================================
                          (Inches)
       Bardstown     1.23  12.38  7.69  +5.90  +3.80  
       Berea         1.59   9.83  6.39  +2.78  +2.18  
       Bowling Gree  0.80   9.97  7.02  +2.78  +2.71  
       Bristol       0.90  10.56  5.05  +5.00  +1.69  
       Buckhorn Lak  1.69  10.78  5.58  +4.64  +1.94  
       Cape Girarde  1.87  12.14 10.59  +4.70  +6.10  
       Campbellsvil  0.66   9.82  5.52  +2.07  +0.93  
       Covington     0.52   7.98  7.15  +1.74  +3.41  
       Cumberland G  1.38  11.96  5.39  +5.09  +1.24  
       Dix Dam       1.44  11.31  7.57  +4.34  +3.41  
       Evansville    1.46   8.70  6.39  +1.92  +2.29  
       Glasgow       0.85   9.78  5.62  +2.29  +1.17  
       Grayson       2.29  11.83  8.97  +5.73  +5.29  
       Hardinsburg   1.43  11.93  7.96  +4.79  +3.70  
       Henderson     0.78  10.60  8.04  +3.70  +3.98  
       Huntington    2.53  12.42  9.52  +6.35  +5.85  
       Jackson       1.73   9.38  5.42  +2.68  +1.45  
       Lexington     1.62  11.24  8.37  +4.76  +4.48  
       London        2.57  11.61  5.87  +5.22  +2.09  
       Louisville    2.47  12.78  9.75  +5.87  +5.66  
       Mayfield      1.24   8.85  6.33  +0.89  +1.74  
       Nashville     1.00  10.68  6.98  +3.48  +2.69  
       Nolin Lake    1.05  11.02  6.91  +3.31  +2.22  
       Paducah       2.27  10.94  8.32  +3.06  +3.78  
       Princeton     0.95  10.69  8.01  +3.01  +3.53  
       Quicksand     2.05  10.16  6.22  +3.46  +2.25  
       Somerset      1.15  10.32  4.55  +3.03  +0.16  
       Spindletop    1.29   8.32  5.64  +1.84  +1.75  
       Williamstown  1.21   7.25  5.61  +0.54  +1.67  
       ===============================================
       ===============================================
                    |                 |    Growing
                    | Air Temperature |  Degree Days
                    |=================|===============
                    |             Dev.|     Since Dev.
       Weather      |       Wkly. From|Last  Apr Since
       Station      |Hi  Lo  Avg. Norm|Week   1  Apr 1
       ===============================================
                        (Degrees F)
       Bardstown     76  52  64.3  -2   98   631   +61
       Berea         76  52  65.4  +0  106   662   +74
       Bowling Gree  78  49  66.9  +1  116   692  +104
       Bristol       77  46  62.9  -2   92   571   +49
       Buckhorn Lak  75  45  63.1  -2   93   626  +104
       Cape Girarde  83  49  66.4  -2  115   646   +40
       Campbellsvil  78  51  66.0  -0  111   710  +122
       Covington     74  45  61.7  -3   85   517   +25
       Cumberland G  79  47  64.1  -1   99   621   +99
       Dix Dam       75  52  64.6  -1   99   639   +69
       Evansville    78  48  65.4  -3  106   594   +36
       Glasgow       80  50  66.6  +0  116   738  +210
       Grayson       74  47  62.2  -3   85   603  +129
       Hardinsburg   77  50  65.1  -1  103   656   +68
       Henderson     78  50  65.1  -3  105   646   +58
       Huntington    74  45  61.9  -3   83   586   +64
       Jackson       74  49  61.9  -3   83   596   +74
       Lexington     76  49  63.6  -1   95   567   +75
       London        78  45  63.2  -2   94   605   +83
       Louisville    75  51  64.6  -2  100   609   +51
       Mayfield      76  49  64.4  -4   99   623   -13
       Nashville     83  49  67.9  +2  124   720   +84
       Nolin Lake    77  49  66.1  -0  111   698  +128
       Paducah       81  49  66.9  -1  116   678   +72
       Princeton     80  48  67.4  -1  121   700   +82
       Quicksand     75  43  63.1  -2   93   641  +119
       Somerset      78  47  64.4  -1  100   656   +86
       Spindletop    77  48  63.3  -2   93   560   +68
       Williamstown  77  44  62.6  -3   92   599  +107
       =================================================

Crop Progress Table
                              This   Prev.  5-Yr.
                              Week   Yr.    Avg.
Corn
  Planted                      76     54     79
  Emerged                      67     47     67

Soybeans
  Planted                      11      5     25

Sorghum
  Planted                       7      1     23

Burley Tobacco Set             12      9     23
Dark Tobacco Set               11      7     24

Crop Condition Table
                     Very
                     Poor    Poor     Fair    Good   Exc.

Corn Emerged           2      10       33      40     15
Wheat                  1       7       22      45     25
Pasture                0       3       14      52     31 
Hay Crop               1       3       18      53     25
Set Tobacco            0       4       29      56     11

---

ky-crop-weather
State
Kentucky Crop Weather
Release Date, Week Ending Date
Week ending May 11, 2003
Issue 
KY-CW1903


Agricultural Summary

Heavy rainfall throughout the week flooded some low lying areas
and prevented farmers from working in the fields despite warmer
temperatures. Temperatures averaged 71 degrees, 7 degrees above
normal and 6 degrees warmer than the previous week. Rainfall
totaled 3.38 inches statewide, 2.32 inches above normal. Topsoil
moisture, as of Friday, May 9 was rated 24 percent adequate and
76 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture, was rated 37 percent
adequate and 63 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork
averaged 1 out of a possible 7 days.

Field Crops Report

SMALL GRAINS: Wheat condition was rated 1 percent very poor, 4
percent poor, 17 percent fair, 49 percent good, and 29 percent
excellent. Reports indicate that 88 percent of the wheat crop had
headed, 16 percent ahead of last year and 3 percent more than
average.

TOBACCO: Transplants measured less than 2 inches in 31 percent of
greenhouse and plant beds, 2 to 4 inches in 37 percent and 32
percent were greater than 4 inches. As of Sunday, May 11 burley
tobacco set was 4 percent, the same as the previous year, while
dark tobacco was only 1 percent set. Farmers reported 95 percent
had adequate tobacco plants for setting. South central and far
eastern Kentucky farmers expect plant supplies to be very tight.

CORN AND SOYBEANS: Some corn fields were flooded this past week
and will likely need to be reseeded. Corn producers have planted
71 percent of their acres, 21 percent ahead of last year and 2
percent above the average. Corn emerged was 62 percent, 17
percent ahead of last year and 9 percent ahead of the average.
Corn emerged rated 3 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 30
percent fair, 44 percent good and 17 percent excellent. Soybeans
were 6 percent planted, 3 percent ahead of last year but 8
percent behind the average.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report

Hay crop condition was 2 percent poor, 14 percent fair, 56
percent good, and 28 percent excellent. Pasture condition was
rated 3 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 56 percent good, and 28
percent excellent.

Weather Summary

ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND ABOVE NORMAL PRECIPITATION:

The week was defined by warm and humid conditions thanks to a
stalled frontal system near the State that brought plenty of
unsettled weather to the region. With the warm and humid air,
came copious amounts of rainfall, including an almost daily dose
of showers and thunderstorms, along with high winds, hail, and
tornadoes in Kentucky. Nearly 400 preliminary tornado reports
occurred in the nation last week, with several deaths and
injuries in Kentucky. 

Temperatures for the period averaged 71 degrees across the State
which was 7 degrees above normal, and 6 degrees warmer than the
previous week. High temperatures averaged from 79 in the West to
78 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged
from near normal in the West to 4 degrees above normal in the
East. Low temperatures averaged from 64 degrees in the West to 63
degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged
from 9 degrees above normal in the West to 10 degrees above
normal in the East. Extreme temperatures for the week were 87 and
50 degrees in Bowling Green and Princeton, respectively.

Rainfall for the period totaled 3.38 inches statewide which was
2.32 inches above normal, and 2.46 inches more than the previous
week. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 2.87 inches,
Central 3.99 inches, Bluegrass 4.25 inches and East 2.42 inches,
which was 1.77, 2.88, 3.23 and 1.41 inches respectively above
normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of
1.51 inches at Mayfield to a high of 5.48 inches at Lexington.

Weather Information Table

       ===============================================
                    |                 |              |
                    |     Rainfall    |  Dev. From   |
                    |=================|==============|
                    |      Since  Last| Norm   Norm  |
       Weather      |Last  April  Four| Since  Last  |
       Station      |Week    1    Wks.| Apr 1  4 Wks.|
       ===============================================
                          (Inches)
       Bardstown     5.04  11.15  7.94  +5.68  +4.16  
       Berea         3.75   8.24  5.47  +2.27  +1.35  
       Bowling Gree  2.92   9.17  7.04  +3.10  +2.84  
       Bristol       2.51   9.66  5.78  +4.98  +2.53  
       Buckhorn Lak  2.21   9.09  4.90  +3.88  +1.32  
       Cape Girarde  4.52  10.27  9.18  +4.00  +4.83  
       Campbellsvil  3.51   9.16  5.82  +2.58  +1.29  
       Covington     4.92   7.46  6.78  +2.19  +3.14  
       Cumberland G  2.58  10.58  5.49  +4.79  +1.47  
       Dix Dam       4.98   9.87  7.24  +3.97  +3.17  
       Evansville    3.14   7.24  6.02  +1.53  +2.06  
       Glasgow       3.24   8.93  5.80  +2.58  +1.43  
       Grayson       3.29   9.54  7.37  +4.40  +3.80  
       Hardinsburg   4.84  10.50  7.68  +4.46  +3.51  
       Henderson     4.48   9.82  8.54  +3.95  +4.51  
       Huntington    2.91   9.89  7.56  +4.78  +4.01  
       Jackson       1.71   7.65  4.34  +1.96  +0.43  
       Lexington     5.48   9.62  8.02  +4.15  +4.24  
       London        2.27   9.04  4.89  +3.61  +1.16  
       Louisville    4.18  10.31  8.68  +4.44  +4.64  
       Mayfield      1.51   7.61  6.03  +0.78  +1.39  
       Nashville     4.59   9.68  7.01  +3.58  +2.80  
       Nolin Lake    3.73   9.97  6.81  +3.50  +2.30  
       Paducah       1.51   8.67  6.99  +1.91  +2.40  
       Princeton     2.08   9.74  7.90  +3.18  +3.42  
       Quicksand     2.15   8.11  4.94  +2.42  +1.03  
       Somerset      2.24   9.17  4.75  +3.02  +0.49  
       Spindletop    3.16   7.03  5.37  +1.56  +1.59  
       Williamstown  3.22   6.04  5.21  +0.33  +1.29  
       
       ===============================================
       ===============================================
                    |                 |    Growing
                    | Air Temperature |  Degree Days
                    |=================|===============
                    |             Dev.|     Since Dev.
       Weather      |       Wkly. From|Last  Apr Since
       Station      |Hi  Lo  Avg. Norm|Week   1  Apr 1
       ===============================================
                        (Degrees F)
       Bardstown     85  57  71.2  +7  146   533   +68
       Berea         83  58  70.8  +8  143   556   +80
       Bowling Gree  87  59  72.1  +8  152   576  +100
       Bristol       84  56  68.8  +6  129   479   +55
       Buckhorn Lak  84  59  70.9  +8  143   533  +109
       Cape Girarde  83  58  72.7  +6  157   531   +44
       Campbellsvil  85  59  72.1  +8  153   599  +123
       Covington     80  54  67.6  +5  121   432   +38
       Cumberland G  85  59  69.9  +7  137   522   +98
       Dix Dam       84  57  70.6  +8  143   540   +75
       Evansville    82  54  68.9  +3  131   488   +42
       Glasgow       88  57  73.3  +9  159   622  +206
       Grayson       84  54  69.1  +6  131   518  +135
       Hardinsburg   86  55  72.1  +8  153   553   +77
       Henderson     83  56  70.9  +5  145   541   +65
       Huntington    84  51  68.9  +6  130   503   +79
       Jackson       83  58  69.5  +7  135   513   +89
       Lexington     83  57  69.7  +7  137   472   +78
       London        86  58  69.9  +7  138   511   +87
       Louisville    85  56  70.3  +6  141   509   +63
       Mayfield      84  59  70.7  +4  143   524    +7
       Nashville     86  62  72.5  +8  157   596   +79
       Nolin Lake    86  58  72.3  +8  154   587  +122
       Paducah       84  57  72.4  +6  154   562   +75
       Princeton     85  50  71.3  +5  147   579   +73
       Quicksand     83  59  71.6  +9  149   548  +124
       Somerset      84  58  71.2  +8  147   556   +91
       Spindletop    83  56  69.2  +6  133   467   +73
       Williamstown  80  53  69.2  +6  133   507  +113
       =================================================

Crop Progress Table
                              This   Prev.  5-Yr.
                              Week   Yr.    Avg.
Corn
  Planted                      71     50     69
  Emerged                      62     45     53

Soybeans
  Planted                       6      3     14

Wheat
  Headed or Heading            88     72     85

Burley Tobacco Set              4      4      9
Dark Tobacco Set                1      4      8

Crop Condition Table
                     Very
                     Poor    Poor     Fair    Good   Exc.

Corn Emerged           3       6       30      44     17
Wheat                  1       4       17      49     29
Pasture                0       3       13      56     28 
Hay Crop               0       2       14      56     28


---

ky-crop-weather
State
Kentucky Crop Weather
Release Date, Week Ending Date
Week ending May 4, 2003
Issue 
KY-CW1803


Agricultural Summary

The week started off with temperatures near normal, then got
cooler following some showers at the end of the week.
Temperatures averaged 65 degrees, 3 degrees above normal and 9
degrees above the previous week's average. Rainfall totaled 0.92
inches statewide, 0.11 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture, as
of Friday, May 2 was rated 1 percent short, 71 percent adequate,
and 28 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture, was rated 1 percent
short, 76 percent adequate, and 23 percent surplus. Days suitable
for fieldwork averaged 3.8 out of a possible 7 days.

Field Crops Report

SMALL GRAINS: Wheat condition was rated 4 percent poor, 20
percent fair, 48 percent good, and 28 percent excellent. Reports
indicate that 50 percent of the wheat crop had headed, 4 percent
behind last year and 11 percent behind average. 

TOBACCO: Transplants measured less than 2 inches in 41 percent, 2
to 4 inches in 36 percent and 23 percent were greater than 4
inches. As of Sunday, May 4 burley tobacco set was 3 percent, one
percent ahead of last year, while dark tobacco was only 1 percent
set.

CORN AND SOYBEANS: A few days of dry weather the middle of the
week gave some farmers a chance to plant their crops between rain
showers. Corn producers have planted 70 percent of their acres,
24 percent ahead of last year and 9 percent above the average.
Corn emerged was 52 percent, 14 percent ahead of last year and 13
percent ahead of the average. Corn emerged rated 3 percent poor,
25 percent fair, 53 percent good and 19 percent excellent.
Soybeans were 4 percent planted, 2 percent above last year but 4
percent behind the average. 

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report

Hay crop condition was 4 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 54
percent good, and 21 percent excellent. Pasture condition was
rated 2 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 59 percent good, and 20
percent excellent. Nitrogen supplies were generally adequate
statewide with tightest supplies reported in eastern Kentucky.

Weather Summary

BELOW NORMAL PRECIPITATION AND ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES:

Two rain events this week, one early in the workweek, and one to
start off the weekend, neither of which were significant enough
to bring rainfall totals for the State to normal levels for the
week. Most of the week, temperatures remained at or above normal
across the State. However, by Friday, following the passage of a
cold front during the afternoon hours, temperatures began to
drop, and left the weekend with below normal readings.

Temperatures for the period averaged 65 degrees across the State
which was 3 degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from
76 in the West to 75 in the East. Departure from normal high
temperatures ranged from 1 degree below normal in the West to 4
degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from
56 degrees in the West to 53 degrees in the East. Departure from
normal low temperature ranged from 4 degrees above normal in the
West to 3 degrees above normal in the East. 

Rainfall for the period totaled 0.92 inches statewide which was
0.11 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate
division, West 1.39 inches, Central 0.50 inches, Bluegrass 0.48
inches and East 1.30 inches, which was +0.30, -0.56, -0.51 and
+0.33 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation
totals ranged from a low of 0.07 inches at Louisville to a high
of 3.20 inches at Huntington.

Weather Information Table

      ===============================================
                    |                 |              |
                    |     Rainfall    |  Dev. From   |
                    |=================|==============|
                    |      Since  Last| Norm   Norm  |
       Weather      |Last  April  Four| Since  Last  |
       Station      |Week    1    Wks.| Apr 1  4 Wks.|
       ===============================================
                          (Inches)
       Bardstown     0.38   6.11  4.92  +1.65  +1.24  
       Berea         0.24   4.49  3.74  -0.39  -0.29  
       Bowling Gree  1.02   6.25  5.35  +1.29  +1.26  
       Bristol       0.87   7.15  6.70  +3.35  +3.56  
       Buckhorn Lak  0.82   6.88  6.17  +2.60  +2.64  
       Cape Girarde  2.17   5.75  5.31  +0.65  +1.10  
       Campbellsvil  0.54   5.65  4.74  +0.24  +0.28  
       Covington     0.67   2.54  2.26  -1.76  -1.29  
       Cumberland G  0.73   8.00  7.10  +3.30  +3.22  
       Dix Dam       0.31   4.89  4.14  +0.06  +0.15  
       Evansville    0.47   4.10  3.76  -0.53  -0.07  
       Glasgow       0.72   5.69  4.57  +0.49  +0.28  
       Grayson       2.46   6.25  5.79  +2.07  +2.34  
       Hardinsburg   0.17   5.66  4.83  +0.72  +0.75  
       Henderson     0.88   5.34  4.86  +0.49  +0.86  
       Huntington    3.20   6.98  6.58  +2.83  +3.15  
       Jackson       0.85   5.94  5.39  +1.26  +1.53  
       Lexington     0.35   4.14  3.54  -0.32  -0.14  
       London        0.70   6.77  5.79  +2.30  +2.10  
       Louisville    0.07   6.13  5.39  +1.30  +1.41  
       Mayfield      1.03   6.10  5.26  +0.40  +0.57  
       Nashville     0.40   5.09  3.24  +0.09  -0.89  
       Nolin Lake    0.67   6.24  5.38  +1.00  +1.05  
       Paducah       2.20   7.16  6.44  +1.51  +1.79  
       Princeton     2.15   7.66  6.77  +2.22  +2.29  
       Quicksand     1.00   5.96  5.28  +1.28  +1.42  
       Somerset      0.64   6.93  5.96  +1.93  +1.83  
       Spindletop    0.86   3.87  3.18  -0.59  -0.50  
       Williamstown  0.46   2.82  2.57  -1.90  -1.32  
       ===============================================
       ===============================================
                    |                 |    Growing
                    | Air Temperature |  Degree Days
                    |=================|===============
                    |             Dev.|     Since Dev.
       Weather      |       Wkly. From|Last  Apr Since
       Station      |Hi  Lo  Avg. Norm|Week   1  Apr 1
       ===============================================
                        (Degrees F)
       Bardstown     81  39  64.4  +3  109   387   +27
       Berea         81  47  65.6  +5  111   413   +49
       Bowling Gree  83  44  65.5  +4  111   424   +60
       Bristol       81  43  64.0  +3  101   350   +24
       Buckhorn Lak  81  45  63.6  +3   98   390   +64
       Cape Girarde  83  52  66.4  +2  112   374    +6
       Campbellsvil  84  43  65.9  +4  115   446   +82
       Covington     81  40  61.8  +1   90   311   +15
       Cumberland G  82  44  64.9  +4  108   385   +59
       Dix Dam       81  43  64.7  +4  107   397   +37
       Evansville    82  47  65.9  +2  112   357   +23
       Glasgow       86  43  66.4  +5  119   463  +159
       Grayson       81  39  63.3  +3  101   387   +95
       Hardinsburg   84  45  65.7  +4  111   400   +36
       Henderson     82  48  64.6  +1  103   396   +32
       Huntington    81  37  63.1  +2  101   373   +47
       Jackson       80  46  64.0  +3  100   378   +52
       Lexington     81  43  63.3  +3   96   335   +39
       London        82  42  63.9  +3  102   373   +47
       Louisville    83  43  64.7  +3  108   368   +34
       Mayfield      82  45  64.8  +1  106   381   -17
       Nashville     85  48  68.4  +6  127   439   +41
       Nolin Lake    84  44  65.9  +4  113   433   +73
       Paducah       84  52  66.6  +2  114   408   +40
       Princeton     85  47  66.7  +3  116   432   +38
       Quicksand     82  46  63.6  +3   98   399   +73
       Somerset      83  43  65.0  +4  109   409   +49
       Spindletop    80  38  62.2  +2   94   334   +38
       Williamstown  83  42  63.5  +3   98   374   +78
       =====================================================

Crop Progress Table
                              This   Prev.  5-Yr.
                              Week   Yr.    Avg.
Corn
  Planted                      70     46     61
  Emerged                      52     38     39

Wheat
  Headed                       50     54     61

Soybeans
  Planted                       4      2      8

Burley Tobacco Set              3      2      3
Dark Tobacco Set                1     NA     NA

Crop Condition Table
                     Very
                     Poor    Poor     Fair    Good   Exc.

Corn Emerged           0       3       25      53     19
Wheat                  0       4       20      48     28
Pasture                0       2       19      59     20 
Hay Crop               0       4       21      54     21

---

Kentucky Crop Weather
Release Date, Week Ending Date
Week ending April 27, 2003
Issue 
KY-CW1703

Agricultural Summary

The week started off cool with temperatures below normal. Rain
the end of the week hampered farmers efforts to work in the
fields. Temperatures averaged 56 degrees, 4 degrees below normal
and 10 degrees below the previous week's average. Rainfall
totaled 1.36 inches statewide. Topsoil moisture, as of Friday,
April 25 was rated 63 percent adequate, and 37 percent surplus.
Subsoil moisture, was rated 1 percent short, 69 percent adequate,
and 30 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 3.3
out of a possible 7 days.

Field Crops Report

SMALL GRAINS: As of Friday, April 25 wheat condition was 3
percent poor, 26 percent fair, 50 percent good, and 21 percent
excellent. Reports indicate that 9 percent of the wheat crop is
headed, 7 percent behind last year and 16 percent behind the
average. 

TOBACCO: Plants grown in traditional plant beds were 12 percent,
while 88 percent were grown in greenhouses and float beds. As of
Friday, April 25 transplants measuring less than 2 inches were 56
percent, 2 to 4 inches were 32 percent and 12 percent were
greater than 4 inches.

CORN AND SOYBEANS: A few days of dry weather the first of the
week allowed some farmers a short window to plant their crops
between rain showers. Corn producers have seeded 57 percent of
their acres, 16 percent ahead of last year and 9 percent above
the average. Corn emerged was 28 percent, 2 percent behind last
year and 4 percent above the average. Corn emerged rated 4
percent poor, 28 percent fair, 54 percent good and 14 percent
excellent. Soybeans were 2 percent planted, the same as last year
and 1 percent below the average.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report

Pasture condition was rated 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor,
17 percent fair, 55 percent good, and 24 percent excellent. The
expected date of the first alfalfa cutting is May 5. The
strawberry crop was 2 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 58 percent
good and 17 percent excellent.

Weather Summary

ABOVE NORMAL RAINFALL AND BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES

The week began with below normal temperatures following the
passage of a fairly strong cold front during the previous
weekend, leading to highs only in the low 50s on Tuesday, and
widespread frost over the northern half of the state on Wednesday
morning. Temperatures recovered nicely as the remainder of the
week progressed, finally reaching near-normal to above normal
levels by the end of the period. A low pressure system, arriving
late in the week brought rainfall to the entire state. The
rainfall began as early as Thursday afternoon in some parts of
far Western Kentucky, but did not spread eastward over the entire
state until Friday afternoon, putting the final touches on a
storm that left total rainfall accumulations ranging from as much
as two inches in northwestern sections of the state, to just over
one-tenth of an inch in eastern portions, and finally wrapped up
by Saturday morning. 

Temperatures for the period averaged 56 degrees across the state
which was 4 degrees below normal, and 10 degrees cooler than the
previous week. High temperatures averaged from 67 in the West to
67 in the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged
from 7 degrees below normal in the West to 2 degrees below normal
in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 46 degrees in the
West to 46 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low
temperature ranged from 4 degrees below normal in the West to 2
degrees below normal in the East. Extreme highs and lows for the
week were 79 at Campbellsville and 31 at Lexington, respectively.

Rainfall for the period totaled 1.36 inches statewide which was
0.38 inches above normal. Precipitation totals by climate
division, West 2.16 inches, Central 1.69 inches, Bluegrass 0.81
inches and East 0.80 inches, which was +1.09, +0.69, -0.13 and
-0.12 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation
totals ranged from a low of 0.33 inches at London to a high of
3.03 inches at Louisville.

Weather Information Table

       =========================================
                      | Precipitation|Deviation|   
                      |==============|  From   |
                      |         Since| Normal  |
       Weather        |  Last    Jan |  Since  |
       Station        |  Week     1  |  Jan 1  |
       =========================================
                             (I n c h e s)      
       Bardstown         1.04   16.91   +2.95   
       Berea             0.81   16.39   +2.51   
       Bowling Green     2.28   13.93   -3.01   
       Bristol           0.77   17.51   +4.17   
       Buckhorn Lake     0.86   17.62   +2.78   
       Cape Girardeau    2.03    9.52   -5.72   
       Campbellsville    0.81   17.90   +1.10   
       Covington         1.04    8.52   -4.37   
       Cumberland Gap    0.70   18.38   +1.33   
       Dix Dam           0.84   14.97   +0.45   
       Evansville        1.32   12.05   -2.06   
       Glasgow           0.81   18.18   +0.98   
       Grayson           0.93   12.66   +0.23   
       Hardinsburg       1.52   16.38   +0.53   
       Henderson         1.90   15.97   +1.26   
       Huntington        0.88   12.52   +0.17   
       Jackson           1.13   16.32   +1.40   
       Lexington         0.92   11.30   -2.66   
       London            0.33   16.86   +1.83   
       Louisville        3.03   14.67   +0.04   
       Mayfield          2.55   10.99   -7.34   
       Nashville         0.99   15.57   -0.62   
       Nolin Lake        1.46   15.17   -0.93   
       Paducah           2.34   14.07   -2.53   
       Princeton         2.83   17.61   +0.12   
       Quicksand         1.02   16.94   +2.02   
       Somerset          0.52   18.81   +2.81   
       Spindletop        0.54    9.86   -4.10   
       Williamstown      0.72    9.32   -4.43   
       =========================================
       =====================================================
                    |   T e m p e r a t u r e s  |Air Temp. 
                    |============================|          
                    |  S o i l         A i r     |Deviation 
       Weather      |4 In. Grass            Wkly.|   From   
       Station      |High   Low    High Low  Avg.|  Normal  
       =====================================================
                       (D e g r e e s   F a h r e n h e i t)  
       Bardstown      63    55     74   32  56.5     -3
       Berea          67    55     77   35  56.3     -2
       Bowling Gree   --    --     73   37  57.9     -2
       Bristol        --    --     74   35  56.9     -1
       Buckhorn Lak   --    --     74   35  56.1     -2
       Cape Girarde   --    --     73   37  55.6     -6
       Campbellsvil   61    55     79   34  58.1     -1
       Covington      --    --     71   31  52.4     -6
       Cumberland G   63    56     74   38  57.2     -1
       Dix Dam        --    --     72   33  55.6     -3
       Evansville     --    --     73   37  55.4     -6
       Glasgow        59    55     81   34  59.2     -0
       Grayson        63    56     71   38  55.0     -3
       Hardinsburg    61    56     69   33  54.5     -5
       Henderson      64    59     73   37  56.3     -5
       Huntington     --    --     72   36  55.1     -3
       Jackson        --    --     73   38  55.8     -2
       Lexington      --    --     70   31  54.1     -4
       London         --    --     73   34  56.1     -2
       Louisville     --    --     73   35  54.5     -5
       Mayfield       63    56     72   36  56.1     -6
       Nashville      --    --     76   41  58.8     -1
       Nolin Lake     --    --     72   35  57.1     -2
       Paducah        62    58     76   37  57.3     -4
       Princeton      67    60     76   36  57.4     -4
       Quicksand      72    56     74   34  55.9     -2
       Somerset       63    54     75   34  56.9     -1
       Spindletop     61    50     71   32  53.3     -5
       Williamstown   64    52     75   31  56.2     -2
       =====================================================

Crop Progress Table
                              This   Prev.  5-Yr.
                              Week   Yr.    Avg.
Corn
  Planted                      57     41     48
  Emerged                      28     30     24
Wheat
  Headed or Heading             9     16     27
Soybeans
  Planted                       2      2      3

Crop Condition Table
                     Very
                     Poor    Poor     Fair    Good   Exc.

Corn Emerged           0       4       28      54     14
Wheat                  0       3       26      50     21
Pasture                1       3       17      55     24 
Strawberries           0       2       23      58     17

---

Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period April 21 to April 27, 2003 

ABOVE NORMAL RAINFALL AND BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES

The week began with below normal temperatures following the passage of a fairly 
strong cold front during the previous weekend, leading to highs only in the low 
50s on Tuesday, and widespread frost over the northern half of the state on 
Wednesday morning. Temperatures recovered nicely as the remainder of the week 
progressed, finally reaching near-normal to above normal levels by the end of 
the period. A low pressure system, arriving late in the week brought rainfall to 
the entire state. The rainfall began as early as Thursday afternoon in some 
parts of far Western Kentucky, but did not spread eastward over the entire state 
until Friday afternoon, putting the final touches on a storm that left total 
rainfall accumulations ranging from as much as two inches in northwestern 
sections of the state, to just over one-tenth of an inch in eastern portions, 
and finally wrapped up by Saturday morning.

Temperatures for the period averaged 56 degrees across the state which was 4 
degrees below normal, and 10 degrees cooler than the previous week. High 
temperatures averaged from 67 in the West to 67 in the East. Departure from 
normal high temperatures ranged from 7 degrees below normal in the West to 2 
degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 46 degrees in 
the West to 46 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged 
from 4 degrees below normal in the West to 2 degrees below normal in the East. 
Extreme highs and lows for the week were 79 at Campbellsville and 31 at 
Lexington, respectively.

Rainfall for the period totaled 1.36 inches statewide which was 0.38 inches 
above normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 2.16 inches, 
Central 1.69 inches, Bluegrass 0.81 inches and East 0.80 inches, which was 
+1.09, +0.69, -0.13 and -0.12 inches respectively from normal. By station, 
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.33 inches at London to a high of 
3.03 inches at Louisville. 

---
Issued 4:00 P.M., April 21, 2003 JSL 4-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: The week started off warm and sunny which helped to dry out 
fields for planting. Rain in the middle of the week hampered farmers efforts to 
work in the fields. Temperatures averaged 66 degrees, 9 degrees above normal and 
14 degrees above the previous week’s average. Rainfall totaled 0.98 inches 
statewide. Topsoil moisture, as of Friday, April 18 was rated 2 percent short, 
65 percent adequate, and 33 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture, was rated 3 
percent short, 72 percent adequate, and 25 percent surplus. Farmers reported 
slight damage to fruit production from the last frost a few weeks ago. Days 
suitable for fieldwork averaged 4.2 out of a possible 7 days. Primary farming 
activities included preparing fields for planting, repairingfences and spraying 
burn down for no-till corn.

SMALL GRAINS: As of Friday, April 18 wheat condition was 1 percent very poor, 3 
percent poor, 20 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 28 percent excellent. 
Barleywas rated 1 percent verypoor, 3 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 55 percent 
good, and 21 percent excellent. Reports indicated wheat is stillingood shape 
despite two weeks of wet weather.

TOBACCO: Plant bed and greenhouse seeding was 91 percent complete by Sunday, 
April 20. This was 7 percent behind last year and 5 percent less than the 
average. Tobaccotransplants hademergedon68 percent ofthe seeded beds and flats, 
14 percent behind last year, and 6 percent behind the five year average. 
Conditionof transplants was 3 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 56 percent good, 
and 21 percent excellent.

CORN: A few days of dry weather and warmer temperatures allowed some farmers a 
short window to plant their crops between rain showers. Corn producers have 
seeded 44 percent oftheir acres, 16 percent ahead of last year and 11 percent 
above the average. Cornhas been slow to emerge due to the cool weather.

LEGUMES ANDPASTURES: Pastureconditionwas rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent 
poor, 24 percent fair,52 percent good, and 19 percent excellent. Farmers were 
also busyseeding pastures and hayfieldslast week. The average height of alfalfa 
as of Friday, April 18 was
11 inches.

Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period April 13 to April 20, 2003

ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND NEAR NORMAL RAINFALL

With much the same situation as last week, a surface low pressure system, and 
its associated cutoff upper level low combined, resulting in a very slow-moving 
rainmaker over much of the state, interrupting field operations. Rainfall began 
in the Western sections of the state on Thursday, and had spread across the 
entire state by Friday, before it finally ended in the East by Saturday morning. 
A gradual warming trend occurred through mid-week, with cooler temperatures on 
Thursday and Friday, before rebounding back into the 70s and low 80s for the 
weekend.

Temperatures for the period averaged 66 degrees across the state which was 9 
degrees above normal, and 14 degrees warmer than the previous week. High 
temperatures averaged from 77 in the West to 78 in the East. Departure from 
normal high temperatures ranged from 5 degrees above normal in the West to 11 
degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 54 degrees in 
the West to 53 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged 
from 7 degrees above normal in the West to 7 degrees above normal in the East. 
The extreme high was 85 at Paducah (and several other locations). The extreme 
low for the week was 38 degrees at London.  

Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 0.98 inches statewide which was 
near normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.92 inches, Central 
1.14 inches, Bluegrass 0.84 inches and East 1.01 inches, which was -0.15, +0.13, 
-0.10 and +0.09 inches respectively from normal. By station, precipitation 
totals ranged from a low of 0.15 inches at Covington to a high of 1.59 inches at 
London.

---
Issued 4:00 P.M., April 14, 2003 JSL 3-03

AGRICULTURAL NEWS: The second week of April brought cooler and wet weather 
throughout the State which interrupted many farm activities. Temperatures 
averaged 52 degrees, 3 degrees below normal and rainfall for the week totaled 
1.65 inches. Topsoil moisture as of Friday, April 11 was rated 1 percent short, 
52 percent adequate, and 47 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 2 
percent short, 65 percent adequate, and 33 percent surplus. Days suitable for 
fieldwork averaged 1.8 out of a possible 7 days. Farmers continued to seed 
traditional and greenhouse tobacco beds with some transplants beginning to 
emerge. Other farming activities included fertilizing fields, working livestock, 
and preparing equipment for corn planting. Windy conditions in most areas of the 
Commonwealth State made spraying difficult.

TOBACCO: Plant bed and greenhouse seeding was 85 percent complete by Sunday, 
April 13. This compared with 87 percent in 2002 and 86 percent for the five year 
average. Tobacco transplants had emerged on 49 percent of the seeded beds and 
flats, 11 percent behind last year, and 5 percent less than the average. Reports 
of some tobacco float systems having trouble with spiral root were noted.

CORN: Corn planting was mostly on hold this week due to the cool and wet field 
conditions. Planting was still ahead of schedule with 22 percent of the intended 
acreage completed as of Sunday, April 13 compared to 15 percent last year and 17 
percent for the five year average. A few reports that some corn acres planted in 
low lying areas were flooded out after all the rain last week.

SMALL GRAINS: Reports of damage to winter wheat were minimal. Farmers report 
average wheat height at 10 inches. As of Friday, April 11 winter wheat condition 
was 4 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 55 percent good, and 21 percent excellent. 
Barley was rated 3 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 52 percent good, and 19 
percent excellent. The wet winter and spring has some producers concerned about 
potential mold and mildew problems.

OTHER CROPS AND PASTURES: Fruit trees were reported at 78 percent blooming or in 
bloom, 38 percent above last year, and ahead of the 59 percent five year 
average. Pasture condition was rated 5 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 53 percent 
good, and 19 percent excellent.

Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period April 7 to April 13, 2003

BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND ABOVE NORMAL RAINFALL

A surface low pressure system, and its associated cutoff upper level low, 
combined this past week resulted in a very slow-moving rainmaker over much of 
the state. The system entered the state late on Sunday, when the rain started in 
Western Kentucky and overspread the entire state through most of the workweek. 
Flooding occurred in Eastern sections of the state through Saturday morning. 
Cloudy, windy, and cooler conditions accompanied the rainfall through much of 
the week. Warmer temperatures and drier conditions returned by the weekend.

Temperatures for the period averaged 52 degrees across the state which was 3 
degrees below normal. High temperatures averaged from 63 in the West to 60 in 
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 7 degrees below 
normal in the West to 3 degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures 
averaged from 40 degrees in the West to 46 degrees in the East. Departure from 
normal low temperature ranged from 4 degrees below normal in the West to 3 
degrees above normal in the East.

Rainfall for the period totaled 1.65 inches statewide which was 0.67 inches 
above normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.83 inches, 
Central 1.74 inches, Bluegrass 1.14 inches and East 2.90 inches, which was 
-0.24, +0.74, +0.20 and +1.98 inches respectively from normal. By station, 
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.40 inches at Covington to a high of 
4.19 inches at Cumberland Gap.

---

Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period March 31 to April 6, 2003

ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND BELOW NORMAL PRECIPITATION

The workweek started off cold, with a hard freeze in some parts of the state - 
Lexington 24F. Through the workweek, temperatures surged upward into the 
mid-70s for much of the week. Very cold and wet conditions occurred through the 
weekend. Two separate rain events late this week - both the result of only one 
frontal boundary. Friday night through Saturday morning, a low pressure system 
ushered a fairly active cold front through the region. The result was heavy 
rain, and reports of severe weather statewide. Despite the period's late-week 
precipitation and cool-down, this week marked the 6th in a row with below normal 
statewide precipitation totals, and the 3rd week in a row with above normal 
temperatures.

Temperatures for the period averaged 57 degrees across the state which was 5 
degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 67 in the West to 68 in 
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from near normal in the 
West to 7 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 46 
degrees in the West to 46 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low 
temperature ranged from 5 degrees above normal in the West to 6 degrees above 
normal in the East. Soil temperatures under a 4 inch grass cover averaged in the 
low 50s, with soil temperatures highs near 60 and lows in the low 40s.

Rainfall for the period totaled 0.71 inches statewide which was 0.29 inches 
below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.62 inches, 
Central 0.94 inches, Bluegrass 0.55 inches and East 0.71 inches, which was 0.46, 
0.07, 0.39 and 0.22 inches respectively below normal. By station, precipitation 
totals ranged from a low of 0.25 inches at Williamstown to a high of 1.12 inches 
at Glasgow. For the last 30 days, rainfall deficits ranged from 1 to 2 inches 
below normal across the state.

---

Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period March 24 to March 30, 2003

ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND BELOW NORMAL RAINFALL

March went out like a lion as two storm systems this past week produced periods 
of showers and thunderstorms Wednesday and Friday evening/Saturday morning 
across the state. The second of the two systems resulted in temperature 
fluctuations rarely seen as the strength of it's cold front was highlighted by a 
fluctuation of highs between Friday and Saturday afternoons of almost 30 degrees 
statewide...from the low-to-mid 70s, to the 40s by Saturday. Kentucky 
experienced 3 to 5 days with temperatures at of above 70 degrees from north to 
south across the state last week. Also, on the backside of the precipitation on 
Saturday morning, as temperatures hovered near freezing, many parts of northern 
and eastern Kentucky saw rain change over to light-to-moderate snowfall before 
ending from west to east.

Temperatures for the period averaged 54 degrees across the state which was 5 
degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 66 in the West to 64 in 
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 1 degree above 
normal in the West to 6 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures 
averaged from 41 degrees in the West to 42 degrees in the East. Departure from 
normal low temperature ranged from 2 degrees above normal in the West to 4 
degrees above normal in the East.

Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 0.76 inches statewide which was 
0.27 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.67 
inches, Central 0.92 inches, Bluegrass 0.72 inches and East 0.74 inches, which 
was 0.45, 0.13, 0.27 and 0.23 inches respectively below normal. By station, 
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.15 inches at Williamstown to a high 
of 1.29 inches at Glasgow.

---

Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period March 17 to March 23, 2003

ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND BELOW NORMAL PRECIPITATION

The week was characterized by a fairly powerful storm system and an associated 
weaker stationary front, which combined to give the state beneficial rain off an 
on through a good part of the week. The heaviest rainfall and embedded severe 
weather, came in an area of warm, humid, and unstable air ahead of an 
approaching strong cold front on Wednesday/Thursday. The front exited the state 
on Friday, and was followed by cooler, more seasonal temperatures during the day 
- before rebounding back above normal by the weekend. Despite what seemed a very 
wet period late last week, rainfall amounts were not enough to bring the state 
averaged rainfall totals from below-normal levels for the fourth week in a row; 
while the state saw the first week with above normal average temperatures in 
seven weeks.

Temperatures for the period averaged 58 degrees across the state which was 11 
degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 67 in the West to 68 in 
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 6 degrees above 
normal in the West to 12 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures 
averaged from 47 degrees in the West to 48 degrees in the East. Departure from 
normal low temperature ranged from 10 degrees above normal in the West to 13 
degrees above normal in the East.

Rainfall for the period totaled 0.90 inches statewide which was 0.14 inches 
below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 1.30 inches, 
Central 1.03 inches, Bluegrass 0.88 inches and East 0.37 inches, which was 
+0.18, -0.03, -0.11 and -0.60 inches respectively from normal. By station, 
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.11 inches at Bowling Green to a high 
of 1.68 inches at Glasgow. 

---

Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period March 10 to March 16, 2003 

ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND BELOW NORMAL PRECIPITATION

A lack of precipitation through week was thanks to domination by high pressure, 
with only a brief break in the dry weather as a frontal system moved through the 
state Wednesday and Thursday. However, a lack of strength and moisture didn't 
allow for a great deal of rainfall from the system. This week marks the third 
straight week in which state has seen well below normal rainfall amounts and, in 
fact, the state was 2.37 inches below normal for the three week period. Also of 
note, is the fact that this was the sixth week in a row in which the state had 
seen at or below normal temperatures.

Temperatures for the period averaged 48 degrees across the state which was 4 
degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 60 in the West to 62 in 
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged near normal in the West 
to 9 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 36 degrees 
in the West to 36 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature 
ranged from 2 degrees above normal in the West to 4 degrees above normal in the 
East. Extreme temperatures for the week were 75 and 14 degrees at Berea and 
Covington, respectively.

Rainfall for the period totaled 0.22 inches statewide which was 0.81 inches 
below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.20 inches, 
Central 0.09 inches, Bluegrass 0.33 inches and East 0.26 inches, which was 0.92, 
0.96, 0.66 and 0.70 inches respectively below normal. By station, precipitation 
totals ranged from a low of 0.02 inches at Bowling Green to a high of 0.61 
inches at Williamstown.

---

Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period March 3 to March 9, 2003

NEAR NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND BELOW NORMAL PRECIPITATION

Hints of spring, but winter hangs on:

Quite a bit of variation and brief hints of spring through the course of the 
week as far as temperatures were concerned. Monday started the week with highs 
only in the 30s statewide. Strong southerly flow ahead of a weak cold front 
helped to push highs back up into the upper 50s and low-to-mid 60s by Tuesday, 
where they stayed until Wednesday evening. Then, following the passage of the 
front, highs plummeted back into the 30s by Thursday. A warming trend then began 
ahead of yet another fairly inactive storm system, which resulted in highs in 
the 50s and even 60s in western sections of the state on Friday, and then highs 
on Saturday then soared into the low 70s throughout the state under sunny skies, 
before colder temperatures returned once again for the day on Sunday.

Temperatures for the period averaged 42 degrees across the state which was near 
normal. High temperatures averaged from 52 in the West to 55 in the East. 
Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 5 degrees below normal in 
the West to 5 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 
28 degrees in the West to 33 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low 
temperature ranged from 4 degrees below normal in the West to 2 degrees above 
normal in the East. Extreme high and low temperatures were 73 and 15 at Bowling 
Green and Williamstown, respectively.

Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 0.12 inches statewide which was 
0.92 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.02 
inches, Central 0.08 inches, Bluegrass 0.18 inches and East 0.19 inches, which 
was 1.10, 0.98, 0.82 and 0.77 inches respectively below normal. By station, 
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.02 inches at Princeton to a high of 
0.42 inches at Cumberland Gap. 

---

Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period February 24 to March 2, 2003

BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND BELOW NORMAL PRECIPITATION

Following the exit of a weak storm system that brought precipitation to a 
majority of the state on Monday, arctic high pressure swept into the area, and 
was the prominent weather feature for the first half of the week, helping to 
make this period the state's 4th week in a row with below normal temperatures. 
Southern sections of the state saw a majority of the state's precipitation as 
disturbances grazed southern parts of the area from time to time, before a 
stronger system ushered high pressure eastward, and brought a majority of the 
state rainfall again by Friday. This week ended what was the 7th wettest and 
30th coldest February in the last 108 years for the state of Kentucky.

Temperatures for the period averaged 33 degrees across the state which was 6 
degrees below normal. High temperatures averaged from 35 in the West to 41 in 
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 19 degrees below 
normal in the West to 7 degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures 
averaged from 27 degrees in the West to 31 degrees in the East. Departure from 
normal low temperature ranged from 3 degrees below normal in the West to 2 
degrees above normal in the East.

Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 0.29 inches statewide which was 
0.64 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.35 
inches, Central 0.21 inches, Bluegrass 0.22 inches and East 0.36 inches, which 
was 0.65, 0.77, 0.60 and 0.54 inches respectively below normal. By station, 
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.17 inches at Louisville to a high of 
0.60 inches at Cumberland Gap.

---

Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period February 17 to February 23, 2003

BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND ABOVE NORMAL PRECIPITATION

In the aftermath of the previous week's ice storm, many sections of northern and 
central Kentucky spent a good part of the week healing - which included removing 
downed limbs and trees and working to restore power. For the southern half of 
the state, concerns with flooding - including pumping basements, moving 
livestock, and trying to stay ahead of the rising waters in many low-lying 
areas, and Kentucky waterways in general. Two weather systems this week. The 
first, a frontal system that lingered near the region Wednesday and Thursday, 
brought rainfall to the entire state, the heaviest of which was in the southern 
portions. The second system, a strong low pressure center that passed just south 
of the state Saturday evening, managed to bring precipitation to the state over 
a much longer period, from Friday evening through Sunday. The heaviest rains 
from this system came on Saturday evening and into Sunday, as over an inch of 
rain fell over much of the state on what was already saturated ground, worsening 
previously existing flooding problems - especially in south-central and eastern 
sections of the state.

Temperatures for the period averaged 36 degrees across the state which was 2 
degrees below normal. High temperatures averaged from 40 in the West to 43 in 
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 12 degrees below 
normal in the West to 3 degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures 
averaged from 31 degrees in the West to 33 degrees in the East. Departure from 
normal low temperature ranged from 3 degrees above normal in the West to 7 
degrees above normal in the East. Extremes for the week were 70 and 20 degrees 
in Jackson and Hardinsburg, respectively.


Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 1.73 inches statewide which was 
0.85 inches above normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 1.97 
inches, Central 1.91 inches, Bluegrass 1.22 inches and East 1.84 inches, which 
was 1.02, 0.95, 0.46 and 0.97 inches respectively above normal. By station, 
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.92 inches at Spindletop to a high of 
2.68 inches at Henderson. 


---

Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period February 10 to February 16, 2003 

BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND ABOVE NORMAL PRECIPITATION

After beginning the week with near-average temperatures and little 
precipitation, the week was punctuated by a powerful storm system that brought 
copious amounts of precipitation to the entire state. Areas in the northern half 
of the state were plagued by paralyzing freezing rain both Saturday evening and 
much of the day on Sunday, while the southern sections of the state saw mostly 
rainfall, southeastern sections of the state faced flooding threats even into 
the 17th.

Temperatures for the period averaged 34 degrees across the state which was 2 
degrees below normal. High temperatures averaged from 44 in the West to 40 in 
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 6 degrees below 
normal in the West to 4 degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures 
averaged from 28 degrees in the West to 29 degrees in the East. Departure from 
normal low temperature ranged from 1 degrees above normal in the West to 4 
degrees above normal in the East. Extreme temperatures were 61 and 9 degrees at 
Paducah and Covington, respectively.

Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 3.21 inches statewide which was 
2.32 inches above normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 2.44 
inches, Central 3.58 inches, Bluegrass 2.69 inches and East 4.11 inches, which 
was 1.49, 2.63, 1.93 and 3.25 inches respectively from normal. By station, 
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.60 inches at Mayfield to a high of 
4.98 inches at Glasgow.

---

Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period February 3 to February 9, 2003

BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND BELOW NORMAL PRECIPITATION

A sharp fluctuation of temperatures was seen early in the week, with much of the 
state seeing highs in the upper 50s, and even the low 60s on Monday, and by 
Tuesday afternoon, highs were back into the mid 30s, and by Saturday morning, 
lows had dipped all the way back into the single digits. Two storm systems 
brought precipitation to the state over the course of the week - which was the 
fifth week in a row with below normal rainfall totals. The first, on Monday and 
Tuesday, was accompanied by above normal temperatures, and as a result, 
precipitation from the system fell as rain. The second system arrived late in 
the week, and brought 1 to 2 inches snow to most of the state from Thursday 
afternoon through Friday morning.

Temperatures for the period averaged 32 degrees across the state which was 2 
degrees below normal. High temperatures averaged from 39 in the West to 39 in 
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 9 degrees below 
normal in the West to 3 degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures 
averaged from 24 degrees in the West to 25 degrees in the East. Departure from 
normal low temperature ranged from 2 degrees below normal in the West to 1 
degrees above normal in the East. 

Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 0.72 inches statewide which was 
0.17 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.50 
inches, Central 0.65 inches, Bluegrass 0.68 inches and East 1.03 inches, which 
was -0.45, -0.31, -0.08 and +0.17 inches respectively from normal. By station, 
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.24 inches at Louisville to a high of 
1.95 inches at Somerset.

---

Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period January 27 to February 2, 2003

NEAR NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND BELOW NORMAL PRECIPITATION:

Huge temperature change, which was punctuated by a 79 degree difference between 
the highest reading and the lowest reading for the state over the course of the 
week, began with low temperatures well into the negative values on 
Monday morning, and ended with highs in the upper 60s by Sunday 
afternoon. Overall however, temperatures averaged near normal for the week - and 
as the month of January played out, it proved to be the 14th coldest January in 
108 years of record for the state. Also, despite two rainfall events over the 
course of the week, statewide precipitation averaged just over half of what 
normally occurs over this period, and monthly totals for January ranked it as 
the 18th driest on record.

Temperatures for the period averaged 34 degrees across the state which was 1 
degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 44 in the West to 41 in 
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 2 degrees below 
normal in the West to near normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 27 
degrees in the West to 27 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low 
temperature ranged from 3 degrees above normal in the West to 4 degrees above 
normal in the East. 

Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 0.42 inches statewide which was 
0.35 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.26 
inches, Central 0.48 inches, Bluegrass 0.34 inches and East 0.58 inches, which 
was 0.53, 0.34, 0.32 and 0.22 inches respectively below normal. By station, 
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.17 inches at Lexington to a high of 
1.43 inches at Quicksand.

---

Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period January 20 to 26, 2003

MUCH BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND BELOW NORMAL RAINFALL:

For the second week in a row, much below temperatures were the rule for the 
Bluegrass State. Lows in the single digits and around zero along with dangerous 
windchills in the negative teens were experienced by much of the state on both 
Thursday and Friday. Below normal temperatures through the week were accompanied 
by two snow events - one mid-week and one late in the week, and neither of which 
were significant enough to push state precipitation totals high enough to avoid 
being below normal for the third week in a row.

Temperatures for the period averaged 23 degrees across the state which was 9 
degrees below normal. High temperatures averaged from 30 in the West to 30 in 
the East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 15 degrees below 
normal in the West to 9 degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures 
averaged from 15 degrees in the West to 18 degrees in the East. Departure from 
normal low temperature ranged from 9 degrees below normal in the West to 4 
degrees below normal in the East.

Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 0.10 inches statewide which was 
0.62 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.07 
inches, Central 0.12 inches, Bluegrass 0.12 inches and East 0.08 inches, which 
was 0.65, 0.65, 0.50 and 0.69 inches respectively below normal. By station, 
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.00 inches at Cape Girardeau to a 
high of 0.34 inches at Williamstown. 

--- 
Kentucky Climate Summary: For the Period January 13 to 19, 2003

MUCH BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND BELOW NORMAL RAINFALL:

The coldest temperatures of this winter (and recent winters) occurred last week 
with 2 to 6 inches of snowfall across the state. Low temperatures were in the 
single digits and near zero on at least two mornings (15th and 18th) with lows 
below zero in many rural areas on the 18th. Precipitation in the liquid form
was below normal for the week...but several light snowfall events occurred
with significant snowfall occurring statewide on Thursday and Friday (16th/17th).

Temperatures for the period averaged 24 degrees across the state which was 8 
degrees below normal and 11 degrees colder than the previous week. High 
temperatures averaged from 33 in the West to 31 in the East. Departure from 
normal high temperatures ranged from 10 degrees below normal in the West to 8 
degrees below normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged from 15 degrees in 
the West to 16 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low temperature ranged 
from 9 degrees below normal in the West to 6 degrees below normal in the East. 
Extreme high temperatures were in the low to mid 40's and extreme low 
temperatures were in the negative single digits.

Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 0.21 inches statewide which was 
0.51 inches below normal. Precipitation totals (in liq. form) by climate 
division, West 0.20 inches, Central 0.19 inches, Bluegrass 0.13 inches and East 
0.33 inches, which was 0.52, 0.58, 0.49 and 0.44 inches respectively below 
normal. By station, precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.03 inches at 
Evansville to a high of 0.55 inches at Quicksand. 

---
Kentucky Climate Summary For the Period January 6, 2003 to January 12, 2003 

ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND BELOW NORMAL PRECIPITATION

A fairly mild period started the week's weather, as a dominant upper-level ridge 
across the eastern third of the state brought warm, Gulf States air into the 
area. Although only a very brief stay for the above normal temperatures at the 
beginning of the 7-day period - before slightly below normal temperatures 
returned late in the week, it was enough to put averages for the week above 
normal as well. Calm weather dominated the week, and resulted in an unusually 
dry period for this time of year.

Temperatures for the period averaged 35 degrees across the state which was 3 
degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged from 44 in the West to 42 in the 
East. Departure from normal high temperatures ranged from 2 degrees above normal 
in the West to 4 degrees above normal in the East. Low temperatures averaged 
from 26 degrees in the West to 27 degrees in the East. Departure from normal low 
temperature ranged from 1 degrees above normal in the West to 5 degrees above 
normal in the East.

Precipitation (liq. equ.) for the period totaled 0.02 inches statewide which was 
0.71 inches below normal. Precipitation totals by climate division, West 0.00 
inches, Central 0.00 inches, Bluegrass 0.03 inches and East 0.04 inches, which 
was 0.72, 0.77, 0.60 and 0.73 inches respectively below normal. By station, 
precipitation totals ranged from a low of 0.00 inches at Bardstown to a high of 
0.06 inches at Huntington.

---

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