Ratings for corn and soybeans generally move in the same direction during the growing season. But farmers looking at fields saw different things happening to their crops. While growers providing Feedback From The Field last week reported improving conditions for soybeans, corn ratings declined. Both crops remain average or better headed into USDA’s crucial Aug. 10 production estimates.

“Soybeans are doing their thing right now,” said a Kentucky farmer, who rated both crop in good condition. Rain helped corn in the area but is rapidly maturing, which could affect test weights. “I don't think we can make the yields of last year but could get surprised.”

Yet even growers with good conditions noted dryness in fields that’s keeping potential from the bin busting yields of 2017.

“Significant tip back on corn,” worried a producer in eastern Illinois. “Soybeans TBD.”

Lack of moisture was also a concern in southeast Iowa according to a farmer there who rated beans good but corn only fair: “We really need rain to try and maintain better than average yields.” Rains moving across the state Monday could help.

But it may be too late for some fields. A farm in southeast Nebraska picked up only 1.5 inches of rain in July. “My corn had so much promise two weeks ago but that’s gone I fear.”

What’s happening out your way? Click this Feedback From The Fieldlink to rate crops in your area and provide comments about your fields and yield estimates. We’ll update reports frequently 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.

After noting a sharp decline in mid-July, growers reporting Feedback From The Field this week said conditions improved some, with their assessment of soybeans making a new high for the season. Still, farmer evaluations remain less rosy than the strong readings USDA continues to publish in its Crop Progress reports.

Some of the best ratings came in the eastern Midwest, but even growers with fields rated “good” voiced concerns. “A lot of 14-row ears and tip not filling,” commented a producer south of Indianapolis. “Too many 90-degree days. Not the yield I had thought from the road.”

A producer further south in Indiana near the Ohio river also rated fields good, but with a pretty big asterisk. “Just had 15-20 minutes of heavy hail that severely stripped leaves,” said the farmer, who earlier saw potential for 240-bushel corn. “Good news is that about 1.5 inches of rain came with it after not having any for 18 days.”

Other fields weren’t holding up so well. Some are too dry, some too wet, and some have been both. A farm in southwestern Illinois was dry in May, wet in June, and dry again in July, when it was also damaged by a wind storm. “No bumper yields from us,” was the comment.

A little further west in northeast Missouri, fields were rated poor. Said a farmer there: “Hot, dry, corn firing. Soybeans not growing. Pastures not growing, and hay fields that have been baled are brown and not greening up.”

Yet to the north in Minnesota, some fields have been extremely damp, causing yellowing corn, loss of nitrogen and soybeans with very wet feet. “Worst crops in the last 15 or so years,” said a producer south of Minneapolis.

What’s happening out your way? Click this Feedback From The Field link to rate crops in your area and provide comments about your fields. We’ll update reports frequently 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 along with the season here:

Feedback From The Field - July 25, 2018 - Crops grow, so do worries.

Feedback From The Field - July 16, 2018 - Growers sound more optimistic about crops.

Feedback From The Field - July 12, 2018 - Yield potential ranges from boom to bust.

Feedback From The Field - July 9, 2018 - Growers voice concerns about conditions.

Feedback From The Field - July 2, 2018 - Crops hang on despite hot week.

Feedback From the Field - June 25, 2018 - Heavy rains help some fields, hurt others growers say.

Feedback From the Field - June 18, 2018 - Corn ratings slip after a hot week with hit-or-miss rains.

Feedback From the Field - June 11, 2018 - Corn improves but weekend rains could be crucial.

Feedback From the Field - June 4, 2018 - Crop conditions hold steady, but not as strong as USDA’s ratings.

Feedback From the Field - May 21, 2018 - Will corn planting progress meet the market’s models?

Feedback From the Field - May 14, 2018 - Planting progress hit or miss in the second week of May.

Feedback From the Field - May 7, 2018 - Growers make rapid planting progress outside the far north.

Feedback From the Field - May 2, 2018 - Some growers welcome this week’s rains.

Feedback From The Field - April 30, 2018 - More growers get into the field over the weekend.

Feedback From The Field - April 23, 2018 - April ending with cold, wet conditions stalling planting.

Feedback From The Field - April 19, 2018 - Rain, snow, fires and mud – this spring has it all.

Feedback From The Field - April 18, 2018 - Welcome to springtime in the Midwest.

Feedback From The Field - April 16, 2018 - Interactive tool helps growers share conditions.