During the month of July, Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 1.68 inches of rain in Hardin County. 

Last year, the average rainfall for July was 4.66 inches.  The extremely dry month had lower rainfall totals in the northern half of the county, although most areas in the southern half recorded low rainfall amounts as well.

Liberty Township recorder, Phil Epley, reports rainfall at 1.24 inches and 11.01 inches for the growing season.

Dale Rapp in Dudley Township received 4.32 inches of rain for the month, the most of any of the township sites. The least rain in July, 0.55 inches, was collected in Blanchard Township by Crop Production Services. 

For the growing season from April 15 through July, the average precipitation in the townships was 12.22 inches, with a wide range from 9.75 to 17.35 inches.  

Soil moisture was good coming off a very heavy rain event in late June leading into the month of July.  However, that moisture could only last so long with the growing crops as July signaled the beginning of an extended dry period. 

Rain events happening during the month were usually limited to a few tenths of an inch, with the exception of Dudley and Hale Townships, which were able to catch a heavier rain on July 18.

Corn and soybean crops were progressing well after a late planting for most of the county.   Soil moisture was adequate leading into corn pollination.  Soon after pollination, soils became extremely dry as Hardin County was considered to be in a period of moderate drought towards the end of the month. 

Corn started showing signs of drought stress, which became more widespread into August.  This drought stress happened during a time that is crucial to kernel development that most likely will affect corn yields.

Soybeans were slower to show stress as a result of the rain.  The lack of moisture in July caused soybean plants to be shorter than normal with less flowering at the nodes.  Pod development suffered as well, with fewer pods and lower seed counts in the pods.  However, soybeans adapt better than corn to these types of conditions, allowing additional late flowering after much needed rain arrived in August. 

As a result, soybean yields will likely be lower this year, but not as severe as corn yields.  The dry weather also brought about a spider mite problem in some soybean fields, which could be treated with miticides or eventually the coming of rain.

July’s lack of rain also created a new set of issues with forage producers.  Forages displayed slow growth, resulting in lower tonnage per acre.  Producers were left with the decision of whether or not to cut alfalfa upon first bloom, or allow more time for growth.  Cutting hay with less tonnage creates inefficient use of resources and also a shortage of feed for livestock.  This may cause some producers to grow alternative fall forages or purchase of hay from other sources to feed livestock through the winter.