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By Mark Badertscher
Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator

HARDIN COUNTY__ With the help of 15 volunteer rainfall reporters, the Hardin County Extension office has collected unofficial township rainfall data for the past 31 consecutive years. The 2023 growing season began with some early planting in April; however wet soil prevented much field work from occurring until late in May. Frequent rains combined with cool temperatures in early May slowed evaporation and kept field conditions wet. Farmers were able to finish planting crops in June that they didn’t get planted in May. June continued with cooler temperatures and dry weather which slowed early season growth.

Low amounts of rainfall across parts of the county occurred in July after a dry month in June. Rains were spread out throughout the month of July, which resulted in lower disease pressure in crops. Both corn and soybean crops grew slowly until the rains started in early July. August brought more needed rain for county crops after a dry start to the growing season. Farmers were counting on rain to complete ear fill and to produce soybean pods.