By Mark Badertscher
HARDIN COUNTY__During the month of September 2023, Extension volunteer rainfall reporters received an average of 0.22 inches of rain. The least rain for this month, 0.00 inches, was reported in both Liberty and Marion Townships, as measured by Phil Epley and Mark Lowery respectively. The most rain reported during the month, 0.61 inches, was reported in Goshen Township by John Brien.
During the same month last year, an average of 2.92 inches of rain fell. The rainfall recorded in September over the past ten years averaged 2.93 inches.
For the growing season since April 15, the average precipitation in the townships was 15.94 inches, ranging from 13.07 inches in Liberty Township, to 19.50 inches in Pleasant Township. After falling behind in seasonal rainfall this growing season, the average rainfall is 6.35 inches under the ten-year average for Hardin County without adding additional rain in the first half of October.
Soybean harvest in the county has gone well with above average yields. There are still a few soybean fields left to harvest, with most being double crop beans. Many farmers have been shelling corn in the county, but there is still plenty of corn standing in the fields throughout the area. Livestock producers have taken advantage of soybean harvest to apply manure to fields. Wheat has been planted and emerged in some fields where soybeans were harvested. Fertilizer is being applied on some fields where needed in preparation for the next crop rotation. Cover crops have been seeded to help protect water quality and improve soil health.
