As Hardin County farmers get ready to plant this year’s corn and soybeans, crop yields from the 2017growing 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.

Corn

According to a recently released report, 87,000 acres of corn were planted with 79,000 acres harvested in the county in 2017.  The county average yield was 150.6 bushels per acre, compared to 155.6 bushels per acre in 2016.  There was a total of 11,900,000 bushels of corn produced this past crop year in Hardin County.  Area county yields for the same year were Allen – 165.0, Auglaize – 172.9, Logan – 163.6, Union – 195.3, Marion – 177.4, Wyandot – 169.9, and Hancock – 170.0 bushels per acre.  The state corn yield average was 177.0 bushels per acre.

Soybeans

County soybean production data showed that 124,000 acres of soybeans were planted with 124,000 acres harvested in the county in 2017.  The county average yield was 42.0 bushels per acre, compared to 53.7 bushels per acre in 2016.  There was a total of 5,214,000 bushels of soybeans produced this past crop year in Hardin County.  Area county yields for the same year were Allen – 49.3, Auglaize – 50.6, Logan – 48.6, Union – 52.6, Marion – 48.2, Wyandot – 50.4, and Hancock – 48.5 bushels per acre.  The state soybean yield average was 49.5 bushels per acre.

Wheat

Wheat acres in the county were less, with 7300 acres of wheat planted with 6850 acres harvested in 2017.  The county average yield was 73.6 bushels per acre, with 76.5 bushels per acre in 2016.  There was a total of 504,000 bushels of wheat produced this past crop year in Hardin County.  Area county yields for the same year were Allen – 80.3, Auglaize – 73.8, Logan – 73.1, Union – 79.7, Marion – 74.8, Wyandot – 74.9, and Hancock – 79.0 bushels per acre.  The state wheat yield average was 74.0bushels per acre.

Overall

Overall Ohio had a great corn crop tying the average yield record of 177.0 bushels per acre in 2013.  Southwest and centralOhio were the largest yielding regions of the state.  Locally in Hardin County, weather played a role in lowering corn yields, while conditions caused many soybean fields to have lower than average yields.  Despite a good wheat production year, county farmers planted 900 less acres of wheat compared to 2016.  The annual average grain price received by Ohio farmers was slightly lower for corn and soybeans in 2017 compared to 2016. Average annual Ohio wheat price was about 65 cents higher in 2017.  At this time, the average Ohio 2017 price received was $3.55 for corn, $9.50 for soybean, and $4.90 for wheat. 

Weather—the bugaboo

Heavy rains and cool temperatures caused many farmers to replant corn fields in 2017.  This resulted in thin and non-uniform stands, with corn growing in different stages.  Cool and wet temperatures continued throughout the early season, hampering root development and nutrient uptake.  Rainfall caused continued ponding and flooding in several fields into June.  This delayed application of nitrogen to corn and herbicide to soybeans.  Rainy conditions were also present in July, with milder temperatures.  August was very dry, impacting kernel fill in corn along with soybean growth and development.