Growers continue to face harvesting challenges from cool, wet summer

LEXINGTON, Ky., (Oct 21, 2009)

While the rains have stopped and harvest is progressing, Kentucky growers continue to deal with the ramifications of a cool, wet growing season.

The growing season came to a close the weekend of Oct. 17 with the season's first frost. While that may seem early, it was only slightly ahead of the state's average first frost date, said Michael Mathews, staff meteorologist in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.

Fortunately, the majority of the state's corn was mature; however, only 75 percent of soybeans were mature, said Chad Lee, UK grain crops specialist.

"Most likely the remaining 25 percent will not grow any further, resulting in lighter seeds," he said. These soybeans were mainly double-cropped with wheat or planted late.

Not only will the late soybeans have lower test weights, but they may have additional damage, which could reduce marketability and lead to additional price discounts at the elevator. When the frost hit, some of the soybeans had yet to turn yellow and drop their leaves. This could make the plant's green color nearly impossible to get out of the seeds. High moisture levels may lead to shriveled seeds which could trigger an additional discount, said Jim Herbek, UK grain crops specialist. 

Corn and soybean harvesting delays are slowing wheat planting. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's weekly crop and weather report for the state, only 8 percent of the crop was planted as of the first of this week. This compares to 33 percent seeded by this time in 2008 and a 40 percent five-year average.

"There could be a lot of late-planted wheat, especially if there's another crop still in the field," Herbek said.

Contact: Jim Herbek, 270-365-7541, ext. 205; Chad Lee, 859-257-3203; Michael Mathews, 859-257-3000, ext. 245

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