After struggling with too much or too little rain in the first part of the growing season, farmers rate their crops as better, but still well below average, according to Feedback From The Field posted last week.

Much of the Plains and Midwest received below average rainfall, and growth remains slower than normal in many areas.

“Crops are inconsistent and vary in size and health,” said a producer in southeastern Minnesota who believes fields are two to three weeks behind average. “Lots of ‘open’ fields yet as crops are very small and minimal shading and covering-- no canopy to block out weeds.”

Said another Minnesota grower: “Some corn knee high, some late just emerging.”

Rainfall totals also varied widely.

“Just over 1 inch of rain since May 26^th,” reported a central Iowa producer. “Still ½-inch cracks in the soil. Radar shows rain but dries up before it gets here.”

Parts of Central Illinois remain dry as well. But not far away, the skies opened open on an Illinois farm near the Indiana border: “Seven inches of rain in five days. Ponds are all full.”

Some of those storms were make or break. A producer in northwest Missouri described it as a “Million dollar, 1-1/2 inch rain.”

Yet even in some of the good areas, questions remain. A producer in eastern South Dakota said corn should be waist high this week. But while most of the corn looks excellent, “Some of the later planted soybeans in my area have a poor stand."

Click this Feedback From The Field link to rate crops in your area. 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