By Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Educator

Hardin County - During the month of August, Extension volunteer rainfall reporters received an average of 1.39 inches of rain.  The most rain for this month, 3.40 inches, fell in Jackson Township as measured by Rick Weber.  The least rain reported during the month, 0.65 inches was reported in Marion Township by Mark Lowery.  During the same month last year, an average of 5.22 inches of rain fell.  The rainfall recorded in August over the past ten years averaged 4.03 inches. 

For the growing season since April 15, the average precipitation in the townships was 25.14 inches, ranging from 30.99 inches in Jackson Township to 21.55 inches in Dudley Township. The growing season average rainfall was 6.36 inches above the ten-year average for Hardin County through August.

After a wet, cool spring and early summer, rainfall in August was very low.  Moisture in the soil helped to keep crops growing until drying out.  Areas of low rainfall occurred after pollination in cornfields, but during kernel fill.  This may result in smaller kernels on the ears, lowering yields.  Soybean plants in some areas did not grow as high, resulting in fewer nodes where soybean pods attach.  Smaller seed size could also be expected with the dryer weather during the month.  Corn silage harvest has been taking place in the county with farmers chopping corn for dairy cattle. 

Soybeans are maturing and leaves are dropping, signaling start of the bean harvest soon around the county.  Corn is also maturing, while some corn has yet to reach black layer maturity.  Later planted corn will need a later frost to reach full maturity.  Forecasts call for a frost a week later this year, which will benefit corn producers who either planted or replanted corn at later dates.  Hay harvest is mostly done in the county, as later cuttings require longer drying due to cooler weather and hay plants need time to build up reserves to successfully overwinter.