After a frustrating, slow start to the harvest of 2017, growers finally got a mostly open week on their combines. While results remain highly varied, overall yield results and ratings improved last week according to posts on Feedback From The Field.

Farmers’ ratings of corn were in line with USDA’s weekly condition reports, though soybeans were a little behind. Yield estimates at the end of the week brought down overall averages for both crops after a strong start, with corn at 167.5 bushels per acre and soybeans at 48.4 bpa. Both those assessments are more than 2% lower than the estimates USDA published Oct. 12 of 171.8 bpa corn and 49.5 soybeans.

Corn yields ranged from 80 to 288 bpa, with soybeans from 21 to 74.

“Variable everywhere,” reported a producer near Indianapolis. ”Corn 140 to 230, beans 50 to 90.”

While some growers were too wet for much of the growing season, dry conditions plagued fields on the northern Plains.

“Averaged 21 bushel/acre over 700 acres of soybeans,” noted a North Dakota farmer near Grand Forks.

On the other end of the spectrum were producers in western Illinois and eastern Iowa who rated corn in excellent condition.

“Didn't sell enough early,” said one Illinois producer. “Thought I was in good shape with my marketing plan but this crop is 25-40% better than I budgeted for...”

“Amazing crop with no more rain than was received,” said another Illinois farmer.

“We have not taken out many beans yet, but our corn so far is above our expectations,” added the Iowa grower.

Click this Feedback From The Field link to rate crops in your area and provide yield estimates in your fields. We’ll update reports with the interactive map below that lets you see what other growers are saying around the country. Click the box in the upper left-hand corner to bring up the weekly index; scroll down to see the most current week.

Follow season progress by clicking on the links below.

Feedback from the field - April 24, 2017 - Growers report slow start in northwest Corn Belt.

Feedback from the Field - April 28, 2017 - ‘Baby it’s cold outside’ isn’t the song farmers want to hear.

Feedback from the Field - May 8, 2017 - Emergence sputters as planting slows

Feedback from the Field - May 12, 2017 - Farms make progress but weather still an issue

Feedback from the Field - May 17, 2017 - Growers wary of this week’s new storms

Feedback from the Field - May 19, 2017 - Farmers face cold, wet end to May

Feedback from the Field - May 23, 2017 - Planting proceeds, questions remain

Feedback from the Field - May 26, 2017 - Some growers wonder if it will ever stop raining

Feedback from the Field - June 5, 2017 - Emerging drought threatens spring wheat crop

Feedback from the Field - June 7, 2017 - Progress, problems noted in early growing season

Feedback from the Field - June 12, 2017 - Conditions turned hot and dry last week

Feedback from the Field - June 19, 2017 - Rains improve conditions, but challenges remain

Feedback from the Field - June 26, 2017 - Crops improve but remain below average in year of extremes

Feedback from the Field - July 3, 2017 - Farmers report dire conditions on the northern Plains

Feedback from the Field - July 10, 2017 - Growers still say conditions are below USDA’s crop ratings

Feedback From The Field - July 17, 2017 - Too much or too little: No Goldilocks moment for U.S. crops

Feedback from the Field - July 31, 2017 - Growers say crops still suffering despite rain and cooler temperatures

Feedback from the Field - Aug. 7, 2017 - Growers note small improvement overall in corn and soybeans last week

Feedback from the Field - Aug. 14, 2017 - Crops improve but growers say yields are below USDA forecast

Feedback from the Field - Aug. 21, 2017 - Rain still crucial as growing season winds down

Feedback from the Field - Aug. 28, 2017 - Mild weather improves crops though problem pockets persist

Feedback from the Field - Sept. 5, 2017 - Growers report lower corn and soybean yields than USDA forecasts

Feedback from the Field - Sept. 11, 2017 - Yields look decent but lagging development raises red flag

Feedback from the Field - Sept. 18, 2017 - Growers beg to differ with USDA on size of crops

Feedback from the Field - Sept. 25, 2017 - Crops improve but still far below USDA estimates

Feedback from the Field - Oct. 2, 2017 - Farmers rate crops better, but yields lower

Feedback from the Field - Oct. 9, 2017 - Yield reports improve for corn and soybeans

Feedback from the Field - Oct. 16, 2017 - Weather challenges add up for some growers