Normally at this time of year Terry Warner of Williamsburg has a huge frown on his face. Rain has played havoc with Warner’s hayfields, but ideal weather conditions this past week have this Clermont County hay baler sporting a smile from ear to ear.

"Good, good, good," he said of the cool, relatively dry conditions that allowed for his third cutting of hay. "Last year at this time we were begging for relief from wet grounds. It was giving me ulcers, but the dry, fall-like conditions this past week has put me ahead of schedule."

Due to continued dry weather, wheat harvesting is nearly finished statewide, and growers are making good progress on baling second and third cuttings of hay.

Oat harvest continues, with progress slightly near even with 2013 figures but behind the five-year average. Oats that have colored are at 87 percent, with harvesting of oats at 34 percent.

Corn appears in good shape, with 76 percent rated good to excellent, compared to 79 percent a year ago at this time. Corn silked is at 69 percent, while last year at this time 84 percent of the crop was silked.

According to the NASS Great Lakes region office, soybeans are in good condition, with 69 percent in good to excellent condition, compared to 70 percent a year ago. The crop is largely progressing on the same timetable as last season. Helping this cause was the 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork for Ohio during the week ending July 26.

Average temperatures recorded around the state ranged from 67-74 degrees, or 8 degrees below to 5 degrees above normal. The lowest recorded temperature for Ohio was 47 degrees and the highest was 93. The statewide average temperature for the week was 71.1 degrees.

Recorded precipitation ranged from 0.01-2 inches, with a statewide average of 0.55 inch. Fairfield recorded the high mark of 2 inches, while the low of 0.01 inch was in the center of the state at Washington Court House.