During the month of July, Hardin County Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 8.23 inches of rain. Last year, the average rainfall for July was 1.68 inches. The wet spring experienced by the county up until July was continued with an even more wet July, with several rainfall events adding to already wet soils.
This year’s July was exactly the opposite of last year, when the county received very little rain for the month.
Crop Production Services in Blanchard Township received 11.50 inches of rain for the month, the most of any of the township sites. The least rain in July, 6.10 inches, was collected in McDonald Township by Jerry Stout.
For the growing season from April 15 through July, the average precipitation in the townships was 23.75 inches, with a wide range from 19 to 27 inches..
July followed the pattern of a cool and wet spring, with rainfall continuing in high amounts combined with mild temperatures. Soils continued to be bombarded with rain events, not allowing much time for moisture levels to dry out. As a result, ponding continued in some fields, were drainage and compaction are issues. This also delayed field operations such as applying pesticides and manure applications.
