Extension Rainfall Report for July

Hardin County – During the month of July, Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 3.27 inches of rain in Hardin County. Last year, the average rainfall for July was 5.54 inches. Jerry Stout in McDonald Township received 6.00 inches of rain for the month, the most of any of the township sites.

The least rain in July, 1.67 inches, was collected in Goshen Township by John Brien. For the growing season from April 15 through July, the average precipitation in the townships was 10.62 inches, with a range from 7.77 to 14.07 inches. The ten-year average for growing season rainfall through July is 16.14 inches.

Low amounts of rainfall across parts of the county occurred in July after a dry month in June. The total rainfall for the growing season is still behind the ten-year average. Depending on planting date and hybrid, some corn fields could be affected with pollination and grain fill issues which could lower yields in some fields. Rains were spread out throughout the month, which has resulted in lower disease pressure in crops. Both corn and soybean crops grew slowly until the rains started in early July. However, timely rains in August can contribute to more vegetative growth and blooms of the soybean plant, increasing its ability to set pods throughout the month of August. Corn grain fill can also be affected by August rains, determining the success of this year’s corn yields.

So far there have not been reports of tar spot in county corn, a disease which first appeared in 2021 in Hardin County. Insect pressure in area fields remain low. Although some fields show weed escapes, are many clean soybean fields in the county again this year due to farmers adopting advanced herbicide tolerant seed traits and making timely applications of pesticides. However, other fields have developed resistant weeds such as marestail, giant ragweed, and waterhemp that are growing above the canopy. Volunteer corn also continues to be an issue in some soybean fields. Now is the time to scout fields for waterhemp and Palmer amaranth. The Extension office can help with identification of these plants. If a field is found to have either of them, it is recommended to prevent them from spreading by removing them from the field before they produce viable seed. As most crops appear healthy, timely moisture will determine how well this year’s crops finish yield-wise.