By Mark Badertscher
Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, OSU Extension Hardin County
Hardin County – As Hardin County farmers get ready to start planting this year’s corn and soybeans, crop yields from the 2023 growing season have been released from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service. Although these crop production numbers are based on estimates, they are used for crop insurance and government reporting purposes.
According to a published report, 87,900 acres of corn were planted with 83,600 acres harvested in the county in 2023. The county average yield was 188.8 bushels per acre, compared to 191.6 bushels per acre in 2022. There was a total of 15,784,000 bushels of corn produced during 2023 in Hardin County. Area county yields for the same year were Allen – 190.3, Auglaize – 194.4, Logan – 183.2, Union – 205.0, Marion – N/A, Wyandot – 199.3, and Hancock – N/A bushels per acre. The state corn yield average was 198.0 bushels per acre.
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County soybean production data showed that 116,500 acres of soybeans were planted with 116,000 acres harvested in the county in 2023. The county average yield was 62.1 bushels per acre, compared to 59.4 bushels per acre in 2022. There was a total of 7,204,000 bushels of soybeans produced during 2023 in Hardin County. Area county yields for the same year were Allen – 59.8, Auglaize – 58.0, Logan – 56.0, Union – 57.7, Marion – N/A, Wyandot – 58.7, and Hancock – N/A bushels per acre. The state soybean yield average was 58.0 bushels per acre.
County wheat production data showed that 14,000 acres of wheat were planted with 12,700 acres harvested in the county in 2023. The county average yield was 97.6 bushels per acre, compared to 83.3 bushels per acre in 2022. There was a total of 1,240,000 bushels of wheat produced during 2023 in Hardin County. Area county yields for the same year were Allen – 110.6, Auglaize – 98.6, Logan – 92.2, Union – 106.0, Marion – 88.6, Wyandot – 102.4, and Hancock – 98.2 bushels per acre. The state wheat yield average was 90.0 bushels per acre.
Hardin County corn yields were slightly lower in 2023 while soybeans had a slightly higher yield compared to 2022. County wheat yields in 2023 were considerably higher than 2022. A dry June held back some corn yields, but soybean adapted with rains later in the season. Currently crop prices are lower, but input prices remain high. Farmers are waiting for dryer field conditions to begin planting the 2024 corn and soybean crops. The 2023 growing season began with some early planting in April; however, wet soil prevented much field work from occurring until late in May. 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.
