Kentucky Farm Land Dries Out More; Crop Heads for Harvest

Source from:  tobaccofarmquarterly.com Wednesday, August 8, 2007 08/09/2007

Dry soil is a growing concern for farmers in Kentucky and all over the drought-parched southeast. Although Kentucky received some showers last week, the topsoil conditions, particularly in the western counties, are still critical. 71 percent of topsoil moisture in Kentucky is either rated short or very short, and subsoil ratings are showing similar characteristics, with 79 percent rated short or very short. Tobacco farmers are topping and preparing the crop for eventual harvest. There are reports of black shank and a smattering of blue mold, but neither disease is considered to be serious or widespread. Tobacco condition in the field is rated at 44 percent good and 14 percent excellent, with another 25 percent as fair. 17 percent has been rated poor or very poor. Some 66 percent of the Kentucky's burley crop was at or beyond blooming stage, behind last year but ahead of the five-year average. 42 percent of the burley had been topped and 78 percent of the dark tobacco in the field had been topped. Enditem