In the month of June, Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 5.52 inches of rain in Hardin County.
Last year, the average rainfall for June was 4.21 inches. Rainfall for the current month is 1.15 inches more for the month than for the 10 year average rainfall in the month of June.
Liberty Township received 6.01 inches (the county average was 5.52 inches), according to Phil Epley, reporter for the township. The township also has received 11.21 inches of rain since the growing season started on April 14 (the county average is 11.25 inches.)
Blanchard Township received 6.65 inches for the month, the most of any of the township sites. The least rain in June, 4.37 inches was collected in Marion Township. For the growing season since April 15, the average precipitation in all the townships was 11.25 inches, with a wide range from 9.46 inches in Washington Township to 12.80 inches in Blanchard Township.
Heavy rains continued to fall in the county throughout June. Corn roots have developed and are taking in nitrogen for fast growth in earlier planted fields. Soybeans have begun to canopy in some earlier planted fields, but are showing signs of stress from too much rain in fields with poor drainage. Wheat harvest has begun and farmers are expecting good yields as long as late rainstorms do not prevent drying, knock down plants, and cause grain quality issues.
An attachment at the bottom of this story shows June's rainfall for eachof the county's townships.
