As Hardin County recognizes its farmers and agribusinesses for National Agriculture Day March 15, crop yields from the 2015 growing season have been released from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Although these crop production numbers are based on estimates, they are used for crop insurance and government reporting purposes.
Hardin County corn report
According to a recently released report, 92,000 acres of corn were planted with 84,000 acres harvested in the county in 2015. The county average yield was 121.4 bushels per acre, compared to 167.9 bushels per acre in 2014. There were a total of 10,200,000 bushels of corn produced this past crop year in Hardin County.
Area county yields for the same year were Allen – 116.7, Auglaize – 126.8, Logan – 142.1, Union – 158.7, Marion – 164.2, Wyandot – 147.9, and Hancock – 141.2 bushels per acre. The state corn yield average was 153 bushels per acre.
Hardin County soybean report
County soybean production data showed that 119,500 acres of soybeans were planted with 118,800 acres harvested in the county in 2015. The county average yield was 46.5 bushels per acre, compared to 53.1 bushels per acre in 2014. There were a total of 5,526,000 bushels of soybeans produced this past crop year in Hardin County.
Area county yields for the same year were Allen – 46.8, Auglaize – 52.1, Logan – 51.0, Union – 52.9, Marion – 50.6, Wyandot – 52.7, and Hancock – 47.9 bushels per acre. The state soybean yield average was 50 bushels per acre.
Hardin County wheat report
Wheat acres in the county were less, with 9,300 acres of wheat planted with 8,700 acres harvested in 2015. The county average yield was 59.4 bushels per acre, with 68.7 bushels per acre in 2014. There were a total of 517,000 bushels of wheat produced this past crop year in Hardin County.
Area county yields for the same year were Allen – 66.9, Auglaize – 68.3, Logan – 69.8, Union – 61.8, Marion – 70.2, Wyandot – 70.9, and Hancock – 71.6 bushels per acre. The state wheat yield average was 67 bushels per acre.
2015 crop summary
Farmers were optimistic for a good crop year in 2015. Corn was planted earlier than 2014 and soybeans were in the ground as the planting season wrapped up early. Crop emergence was good and as 2015 was beginning to look like an excellent year. However, heavy rains started in late May and continued until mid-July.
Because of constant rains, nitrogen fertilizer application to corn was incomplete as farmers struggled with alternative methods of feeding the crop. Excessive water slowed root development and nutrient uptake by the plants. Run-off and leaching of nutrients were also an issue with the heavy rains.
Crops were stunted and root growth was shallow for the dry summer months to follow with inconsistent corn and soybean growth variation within fields. Timely rains did arrive in August after an extended period, helping with pollination and grain fill.
Wheat growers in the county had a different set of circumstances to deal with. Even though wheat production was solid with excessive rain in June and July, it caused disease, grain sprouting and low test weights which resulted in poor quality grain for many fields.
Farmers with these fields had difficulty in selling their grain. Weeds were also more of an issue in 2015, as several Hardin County farmers did not get a chance to properly time or complete herbicide applications due to the weather.
Crop prices were also lower in 2015 compared to the previous year, which will cause grain producers to take a closer look at their input costs as they plan for a productive crop year this spring.
For more information contact OSU Extension, Hardin County, visit the Hardin County OSU Extension web site at hardin.osu.edu, the Hardin County OSU Extension Facebook page, or call Mark Badertscher, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator at 419-674-2297.
