Extension Rainfall Report for August 2014
By Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Educator

During the month of August, Extension volunteer rainfall reporters received an average of 3.73 inches of rain.  The most rain for this month, 5.59 inches, fell in McDonald Township, as measured by Jerry Stout.  The least rain reported during the month, 2.10 inches, was reported in Goshen Township by Brien Bros. Farm.  During the same month last year, an average of 1.94 inches of rain fell. The rainfall recorded in August over the past ten years averaged 4.16 inches. 

For the growing season since April 15, the average precipitation in the townships was 17.83 inches, ranging from 21.39 inches in McDonald Township to 15.06 inches in Washington Township. In Liberty Township, volunteer Phil Epley recorded 4.59 for the month of August, with a total of 20.46 since April 2014. The growing season average rainfall was 1.17 inches below the ten year average for Hardin County for the same period.

Late summer tillage and cover crop seeding has occurred on wheat stubble.  Conservation projects continue around the county as some wheat stubble has been tiled and waterways have been installed.  Soil moisture and rainfall amounts may be a limiting factor for pod fill in soybeans in some areas.  Corn continues to mature, with some fields being harvested for silage in the past week, followed up with application of manure.  There is hay mowed in several areas, or recently made as producers try to harvest this crop at the best time to permit fall grow back of forages.