What’s Happening With Kentucky Crops?

USDA published the latest Crop Progress report on Monday, July 21. Here’s a closer look at recent weather and the status of Kentucky’s most important crops as July progresses.

Weather

Matt Dixon, University of Kentucky Ag Weather Center meteorologist, in a July Ag Weather Update article, said, “While the heat remains, classic summertime downpours have made a return, adding to what’s already been an exceptionally wet year across the Bluegrass State.” 

This year has been the fourth-wettest spring in Kentucky history. The state averages 50.36 inches for the year, and he noted several locations have already surpassed that amount like Marshall County with 52.06 inches of rain and Green County with 51.45 inches.

In Monday’s Crop Progress report, USDA said farmers had 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork the week that ended July 20, compared to 5.7 days this time last year.

USDA rated Kentucky topsoil moisture 1% very short, 11% short, 76% adequate, and 12% surplus. Subsoil moisture conditions in the state were rated 3% very short, 8% short, 81% adequate, and 8% surplus.

Corn

Acreage Estimates

According to the June 30 Acreage report, Kentucky farmers planted 1.6 million acres of corn in 2025. This is up from 1.37 million acres from the previous year.

Pest and Disease Pressure

Kiersten Wise, University of Kentucky Extension plant pathologist, said in a July Kentucky Field Crops News article that southern rust was confirmed July 10 in Crittenden County at low levels. 

“Southern rust typically arrives in Kentucky in mid-July, and whether a fungicide will be needed to manage southern rust will depend on the crop growth stage at the time it is detected in an area. Fungicide applications may be needed to manage southern rust through the milk (R3) growth stage, although if corn receives a fungicide application at VT/R1, it is less likely to need additional applications if southern rust arrives after VT/R1,” she said. 

A map published by the Crop Protection Network shows there is one positive tar spot case so far, in Hardin County, reported July 21. 

Wise noted that high humidity and high temperatures are not conducive to tar spot, and she does not expect the disease to develop quickly. 

However, risk for gray leaf spot development is uniformly high across most of Kentucky. She recommended applying a foliar fungicide once at tasseling/silking (VT/R1) to most effectively prevent yield loss from these foliar diseases. 

Silking Progress

USDA reported that 70% of Kentucky’s corn crop has reached the silk growth stage. That is on par with the five-year average of 71%. 

Corn Dough

The latest Crop Progress report said 23% of Kentucky’s corn crop has reached the dough stage. That is better than the five-year average of 16%. Last year at this time 17% of the state’s corn had reached the dough stage.

Corn Condition

USDA rated Kentucky corn 2% very poor, 5% poor, 26% fair, 57% good, and 10% excellent for the week that ended July 20.

This is similar to the national average rating, which is 1% very poor, 5% poor, 20% fair, 56% good, and 18% excellent.

Soybeans

Acreage Estimates

The Acreage report published June 30 said Kentucky planted 1.8 million acres of soybeans this year. That is down from 2.05 million acres in 2024.

Pest and Disease Pressure

Carl Bradley, University of Kentucky plant pathologist, said in a July 16 Extension article said it is time to consider applying a foliar fungicide to full-season soybean fields as they approach the R3 (developmental pod) stage. 

“High rainfall accumulation is one of the main drivers that can increase the risk of foliar diseases,” he said. “Besides rainfall, the risk of foliar diseases is also affected by other factors such as the soybean variety planted and the cropping history in a field.”

Blooming Progress

The latest Crop Progress report said 48% of Kentucky soybeans are blooming. That is on track with the five-year average of 49%, though it was at 55% this time last year. 

Soybeans Setting Pods

Thirty percent of Kentucky’s soybeans have reached the pod growth stage, compared to the five-year average — and current national average — of 26%.

Soybean Condition

USDA rated Kentucky soybeans 1% very poor, 3% poor, 23% fair, 63% good, and 10% excellent for the week that ended July 20.

The national average ratings are 2% very poor, 5% poor, 25% fair, 54% good, and 14% excellent over the same time period.

Tobacco

Acreage Estimates

The USDA Acreage report said Kentucky harvested 32,800 acres of tobacco in 2024 and predicts 30,800 acres in 2025. 

Of these acres, 4,000 harvested acres are predicted to be Class 2, fire-cured; 24,000 to be Class 3A, light air-cured; and 2,800 acres to be Class 3B, dark air-cured. 

Pasture, Range, and Hay

USDA rated pasture and range conditions in the state 1% very poor, 6% poor, 23% fair, 59% good, and 11% excellent.

The national average is 11% very poor, 17% poor, 29% fair, 32% good, and 11% excellent.

USDA predicts 2.24 million acres to be harvested in hay, with 90,000 of those predicted to be alfalfa or alfalfa mixtures.