AGRICULTURAL NEWS: Kentucky experienced the last of Indian summer this past week. While most of the week was on the warm side, cooler temperatures set in by the end of the week. Kentucky experienced 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork out of a possible seven this past week. Rain for the week totaled 0.53 inches, 0.21 inches below normal. Temperatures for the period averaged 59 degrees across the state, which was 4 degrees warmer than normal, and was 2 degrees warmer than last week.

Topsoil moisture was rated 3 percent very short, 19 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus.

Subsoil moisture was rated 10 percent very short, 32 percent short, 55 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. In addition to stripping of tobacco, wheat seeding and the harvesting of late fall crops, many farmers were busy getting their operations ready for the coming winter months.

CROPS: As of Sunday October 28, 96 percent of the corn had been harvested, compared with 91 percent last year and five-year average of 90 percent. Ninety-four percent of the soybean crop was rated as mature compared with last year at 96 percent and the five-year average of 97 percent. Seventy percent of soybeans have been harvested, compared with 64 percent last year and the five-year average of 67 percent.

TOBACCO: Housed tobacco condition was rated at 1 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 50 percent good, and 18 percent excellent. The amount of burley tobacco already stripped was 18 percent.

OTHER CROPS AND PASTURE: Winter Wheat seeded was reported at 61 percet, slightly ahead of last year’s 57 percent, and the five-year average of 57 percent. The winter wheat condition was rated 1 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 60 percent good, and 15 percent excellent.

Pasture conditions have held relatively steady over the past three weeks due to moisture received and seasonal temperatures. Pastures were rated as 4 percent very poor, 15 percent poor, 39 percent fair, 37 percent good, and 5 percent excellent.