By Mark Badertscher
As Hardin County farmers prepare for another spring planting, crop yields from the 2014 growing season have been released from the 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, 98,000 acres of corn were planted with 95,000 acres harvested in the county in 2014.  The county average yield was 167.9 bushels per acre, compared to 172.3 bushels per acre in 2013. 

There were a total of 15,950,000 bushels of corn produced this past crop year in Hardin County.  Area county yields for the same year were Allen – 179.1, Auglaize – 178.2, Logan – 165.2, Union – 164, Marion – 171.8, Wyandot – 170.9, and Hancock – 193.3 bushels per acre.  The state corn yield average was 176 bushels per acre.

Soybeans
County soybean production data showed that 116,500 acres of soybeans were planted with 116,400 acres harvested in the county in 2014.  The county average yield was 53.1 bushels per acre, compared to 47.2 bushels per acre in 2013.  There were a total of 6,186,000 bushels of soybeans produced this past crop year in Hardin County.  Area county yields for the same year were Allen – 54.9, Auglaize – 58.9, Logan – 50.4, Union – 48.5, Marion – 50.7, Wyandot – 50.8, and Hancock – 54.2 bushels per acre.  The state soybean yield average was 52.5 bushels per acre.

Wheat
Wheat acres in the county were less, with 9800 acres of wheat planted with 8880 acres harvested in 2014.  The county average yield was 68.7 bushels per acre, with no local data reported to compare to in 2013.  There were a total of 610,000 bushels of wheat produced this past crop year in Hardin County.  Area county yields for the same year were Allen – 85.6, Auglaize – 85.7, Logan – 78.1, Union – 64.2, Marion – 74, Wyandot – 69.7, and Hancock – 73.9 bushels per acre. The state wheat yield average was 74 bushels per acre.

Crop yields
Crop yields in 2014 varied greatly around the county, depending on planting date and rainfall.  Some corn acres were planted early before heavy rains and other crops were planted late due to large amounts of rain in areas of the county, which continued weekly throughout the planting season. 

Good weather for early planting resulted in uniform stands and encouraged deep root development, which allowed the corn to get to moisture when conditions became dry later in the season.  Conditions were more challenging for soybeans early in the season.  However, timely rains during the critical pod fill stages and low disease pressure led to a good crop.  As the growing season progressed, timely rains provided adequate weather for pollination for both corn and soybeans.

Wheat had a much better year in 2014 than 2013.  Conditions were excellent for harvest and yields were larger as a result of low disease pressure and moderate June temperatures compared to the rain-delayed harvest of 2013.  Insect pressure was low in most areas as Hardin County experienced moderate summer temperatures. 

Corn and soybean harvest was later than normal due to the late maturing of the crops.  Weeds surveyed in county soybean fields showed about 40% of these fields weed-free.  Crop prices are lower this year compared to 2014, which will cause farmers to take a closer look at their input costs as they plan for a productive crop year.

For more information contact OSU Extension, Hardin County, visit the Hardin County OSU Extension web site at hardin.osu.edu, the Hardin County OSU Extension Facebook page, or call Mark Badertscher, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator at 419-674-2297.