During the month of July, OSU Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 5.54 inches of rain in Hardin County. Last year, the average rainfall for July was 4.25 inches. Madelyn Lowery in Cessna Township received 6.55 inches of rain for the month, the most of any of the township sites. The least rain in July, 4.49 inches, was collected in Taylor Creek Township by Silver Creek Supply. For the growing season from April 15 through July, the average precipitation in the townships was 14.16 inches, with a range from 12.06 to 17.39 inches.  The ten-year average for growing season rainfall through July is 15.81 inches.

Rainfall was welcome in July after a dry month in June. However, the total rainfall for the growing season is still behind the ten-year average. Depending on planting date and hybrid, some corn fields could be affected with pollination and grain fill issues which most likely will lower yields in some fields. However, rains were spread out throughout the month, which has resulted in lower disease pressure in crops. Both corn and soybean crops grew slowly until the rains started in early July.  However, timely rains in August can contribute to more vegetative growth and blooms of the soybean plant, increasing its ability to set pods throughout the month of August. Corn grain fill will also be affected by August rains, determining the success of this year’s corn yields.

So far there have not been reports of tar spot in county corn, a disease which first appeared last year. Insect and weed pressure in area fields remain low. There are many clean soybean fields in the county this year due to farmers adopting advanced herbicide tolerant seed traits and making timely applications of pesticides. However, other fields have developed resistant weeds such as marestail, giant ragweed, and waterhemp that are peaking above the canopy. Volunteer corn also continues to be an issue in some soybean fields. Now is the time to scout fields for waterhemp and Palmer amaranth. The Extension office can help with identification of these plants. If a field is found to have either of them, it is recommended to prevent them from spreading by removing them from the field before they produce viable seed. As the calendar moves through August, continued moisture will be key to establish late summer seedings of alfalfa and other late summer plantings.

Hardin County Extension Rainfall Report for July 2022 (recorded in inches)

Blanchard Township - Nutrien Ag Solutions
July - 6.05
From Apr. 15 -12.80

Buck Township- Heritage Cooperative (Kenton)
July - 5.13
From Apr. 15 - 15.59

Cessna Township - Madelyn Lowery

July - 6.55
From Apr. 15 - 14.97

Dudley Township - Dale Rapp
July - 5.21
From Apr. 15 - 15.55

Goshen Township - John Brien
July - 5.33
From Apr. 15 - 13.38

Hale Township - Travis Ramsey
July - 6.20
From Apr. 15 - 12.35

Jackson Township - Rick Weber
July - 6.00
From Apr. 15 - 14.50

Liberty Township - Phil Epley
July - 5.30
From Apr. 15 - 14.60

Lynn Township - Jan Layman
July - 5.36
From Apr. 15 - 13.66

Marion Township - Mark Lowery
July - 6.25
From Apr. 15 - 17.39

McDonald Township - Jerry Stout
July - 5.05
From Apr. 15 - 14.19

Pleasant Township - George Ziegler
July - 6.15
From Apr. 15 - 14.80

Roundhead Township - Mike Lautenschlager
July - 5.45
From Apr. 15 - 14.00

Taylor Creek Township - Silver Creek Supply
July - 4.49
From Apr. 15 - 12.06

Washington Township - Randy Preston
July - 4.65
From Apr. 15 -12.63

AVERAGE
JULY - 5.54
FROM APRIL 15 - 14.16