By Mark Badertscher
Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator
Hardin County–Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 2.29 inches of rain in Hardin County during June. Last year, the average rainfall for June was 3.12 inches. Rainfall for the month was 3.08 inches less than the ten-year average rainfall in the month of June. Buck Township received 3.67 inches, the most rainfall of the township sites. The least rain in June, 1.55 inches, was reported in Blanchard Township. For the growing season since April 15, the average precipitation in all the townships was 8.62 inches, with a range from 6.15 inches in Hale Township to 11.14 inches in Marion Township.
Farmers were able to finish planting crops in June that they weren’t able to previously plant in May due to wet soils. Some fields were replanted in spots where there was ponding due to May rainstorms. Good field conditions in June allowed not only for spring planting, but also for the first cutting of hay. June also brought warmer temperatures afterwards, which allowed for early season growth. Farmers were able to make herbicide applications and apply nitrogen to corn in June as well. The second half of June was very dry. The dry weather helped keep disease pressure low for the wheat crop and allowed for an early harvest of that crop.
Wheat harvest brought high grain yields with good test weights and good grain quality. Livestock producers are finishing baling the second cutting of grass and mixed hay. Crops in the field continued to grow slowly due to dry conditions, but recent rains have provided improvement. As corn pollinates, timely rains are needed during the reproductive stages. Early corn has tasseled and is producing ears. It looks uniform where there has been more rain, while other areas are more variable where planting dates were delayed. Soybean crops have flowered and some are now producing pods. Soybeans tend to be more forgiving of dry conditions and can improve with rains later in the season. Overall, soybean fields appear short in many fields but have good weed control.
