Kentucky Ag Connection - Kentucky Winter Wheat Recovering from Freeze Damage

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Kentucky Winter Wheat Recovering from Freeze Damage
Kentucky Ag Connection - 04/18/2017

Kentucky experienced well above normal temperatures and below normal rainfall over the past week. Precipitation for the week totaled 0.67 inches, 0.34 inches below normal. Temperatures averaged 66 degrees for the week, 11 degrees above normal. Topsoil moisture was rated 7 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 81 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 5.1 out of a possible seven.

Primary activities this week included planting corn, applying fertilizer and burndown applications, and seeding tobacco transplants. Fifty-one percent of tobacco transplants were under 2 inches, with 39 percent between 2-4 inches, and 10 percent over 4 inches. Varied rainfall across the state slowed fieldwork and corn planting progress at times during the week.

Some winter wheat fields appear to be recovering from freeze damage, but crop conditions and disease pressures continue to be monitored. The average height of winter wheat was 21 inches. Wheat winter freeze damage was reported as 11 percent severe, 26 percent moderate, 27 percent light, with 36 percent experiencing none. Alfalfa hay average height was 8 inches. Alfalfa hay freeze damage was reported as 6 percent severe, 16 percent moderate, 32 percent light, with 46 percent experiencing none. Alfalfa weevil activity and damage continues to be reported.

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