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

HARDIN COUNTY–For the period of May 1-May 31, Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 5.41 inches of rain in Hardin County. Last year, the average rainfall for the same time was 4.08 inches. Rainfall for May was 1.38 inches more than the ten-year average rainfall for the month.

Marion Township received 8.05 inches of rain for May, the highest amount of the township sites. Hale Township had the lowest rainfall amount for the month of May with 3.10 inches. The average precipitation for the growing season since April 15 in the townships was 6.33 inches compared to 5.18 inches in 2021. Mark Lowery reported a total of 8.73 inches in Marion Township, while Travis Ramsey reported a total of 3.95 inches in Hale Township for this growing season.

The month of May brought rain and cool temperatures for farmers in Hardin County. This weather kept soils wet and slowed down field activity that started in late April. Corn and soybeans that were planted earlier had ponding and emergence issues in some fields, causing the need for replanting in areas. Other
fields needed to be planted for the first time that were too wet for planting until later in May or in early June. Fertilizer and herbicide applications, as well as planting activity eventually resumed as soils became fit. Currently, there are a few fields that still need to be planted.

Planting spring forages was also difficult or delayed due to the wet soils. The first cutting of forages was a challenge for drying hay with the frequent rains in May. Corn and soybeans were slow to start growing because of cool temperatures but now are making rapid progress with timely rains and warm temperatures. Nitrogen is being applied to corn and post-emergence application of herbicides is taking place in fields throughout the county. Wheat is currently in the soft dough stage and shows little evidence of disease.