For the time period of April 15-30, Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 1.06 inches of rain in Hardin County. 

Liberty Township experienced 1.04 inches of rainfall. Check the attachment at the bottom of this story for all Hardin townships.

Last year, the average rainfall for the same time period was 2.21 inches.  Rainfall for the April 15-30 time period is 1.2 inches less than the ten year average rainfall during the same dates.

Dudley Township received 1.34 inches for the April 15-30 time period, the most of any of the township sites. 

Blanchard Township received 0.70 inches for the April 15-30 time period, the least of any of the township sites.  The drier end to April allowed farmers to get into the fields earlier than last year, resulting in more corn planted by the first week of May.  This favorable weather also allowed for spring tillage, as well as fertilizer and manure applications to provide nutrients for the crops.

Currently, most of the corn is planted in the county with approximately a third of the soybeans planted.  Corn has emerged in several fields and in many cases, entering the V1 growth stage. 

A few early planted fields of soybeans have also emerged.  Farmers are busy working to complete planting of corn and soybeans.  Herbicides are also being applied to manage weeds.

For more information about OSU Extension, Hardin County, visit the Hardin County OSU Extension web site at hardin.osu.edu, the Hardin County OSU Extension Facebook page or contact Mark Badertscher, at 419-674-2297.