By Mark Badertscher
Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Hardin County OSU Extension

As Hardin County farmers finish planting this year’s corn and soybeans, crop yields from the 2021 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.

According to a published report, 90,400 acres of corn were planted with 85,100 acres harvested in the county in 2021. The county average yield was 191.5 bushels per acre, compared to 159.7 bushels per acre in 2020. There was a total of 16,300,000 bushels of corn produced during 2021 in Hardin County. Area county yields for the same year were Allen – 203.1, Auglaize – 197.2, Logan – 200.5, Union – 198.8, Marion – 191.1, Wyandot – 197.3, and Hancock – N/A bushels per acre. The state corn yield average was 193.0 bushels per acre.

County soybean production data showed that 120,500 acres of soybeans were planted with 120,000 acres harvested in the county in 2021. The county average yield was 57.8 bushels per acre, compared to 57.7 bushels per acre in 2020. There was a total of 6,936,000 bushels of soybeans produced during 2021 in Hardin County. Area county yields for the same year were Allen – 64.0, Auglaize – 60.6, Logan – 59.9, Union – 57.8, Marion – N/A, Wyandot – 56.0, and Hancock – N/A bushels per acre. The state soybean yield average was 55.9 bushels per acre.

Wheat acres in the county were 11,100 acres of wheat planted with 10,000 acres harvested in 2021. The county average yield was 83.3 bushels per acre, with 64.2 bushels per acre in 2020.  There was a total of 833,000 bushels of wheat produced during 2021 in Hardin County. Area county yields for the same year were Allen – 93.7, Auglaize – 88.0, Logan – 80.0, Union – 75.3, Marion – N/A, Wyandot – 83.2, and Hancock – 94.7 bushels per acre. The state wheat yield average was 85.0 bushels per acre.

Overall, Hardin County had a higher yielding corn crop in 2021 compared to 2020. Soybeans produced in Hardin County in 2021 were similar in yield to 2020. Wheat yields were higher in 2021 than 2020 for Hardin County. More favorable weather was received in 2021 compared to the previous year; with the exception of a few townships needing more rain which kept some yields in check compared to other area counties. Currently crop prices are very high, but input prices are also very high. Once again, farmers are at the mercy of the weather to determine crop yields for 2022. The 2022 crop year started out cool and wet, delaying planting progress in Hardin County.