The month of May 2024 has been reported by the UK Ag Weather Center as the sixth wettest May on the 130-year record for the state of Kentucky. The state average rainfall during the month of May was 7.58 inches while Adair County received 9.1 inches per Mesonet station. West Kentucky averaged 9.84 inches placing it on the 2nd wettest May for West Kentucky. Cadiz Kentucky took top honors with a total of 14.02 inches.
The result of large rainfall amounts in the state have resulted in slow crop progress throughout the state including locally in Adair County.
As of June 2nd it was estimated that 79% of the Kentucky corn crop had been planted compared to 95% last year at this time. Soybeans were estimated at 63% planted versus 78% last year. Flooding in some areas that occurred in May will likely require some of those acres to be replanted when the weather permits.
Rainy weather has caused good growth for pastures but delayed harvests in hay. Yield reports for hay harvested thus far have been good but many acres remain to be harvested. The delayed harvest will result in lower digestibility of hay and the need for increased supplementation for livestock this winter.
The UK Ag Weather Center predicts below normal temperatures and near normal rainfall for the first half of June. The UK Ag Weather Center has recently released a free weather app without ads to heighten awareness during extreme weather and assist farming operations with resources to make management decisions. The app is called “Weather Alert” and is available on both Android and iOS platforms.
For more information, contact the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service at (270) 384-2317.
