USDA last week said farmers are ready to harvest record yields as combines get rolling this year. Farmers reporting Feedback From The Field also noted improved yields in September, though their assessments aren’t as optimistic as those from the government.

While estimates so far remain above average, farmers put corn yields at just under 170 bushels per acre for corn, with soybeans at 51 bpa. USDA raised its average corn yield to 181.3 bpa, while soybeans rose to 52.8 bpa. The median yields farmer posted on Feedback were closer to USDA, at 180 bpa for corn and 54 bpa for soybeans. The median yield means half the reports were higher, and half lower.

Farmer comments so far in September included many who were concerned about what’s been a challenging growing season in many areas.

“Corn just had way too many hot days and nights,” said a producer in hard-hit western Missouri, who estimated yields at only 75 bpa for corn and 20 bpa for soybeans. “Also had to grow in big drought.Sad situation in our area.”

Another producer in southwest Iowa said rains late in the growing season came too late to help, estimating corn at 80 bpa and soybeans at 35.  “We have got grasshopper damage in the beans, which is not helping,” said the producer.

Other unwelcomed guest are showing up in eastern Iowa fields. “Disease and pest have really taken the top end yield of the corn crop in southeast Iowa,” said a grower there. “Western Bean Cutworms are attacking the ears resulting in significant ear mold.”

The story was the same in northern Illinois, where heavy rains saturated fields in early September. “Too much rain,” was the summation there from a producer still hoping for 225-bushel corn and 55-bushel soybeans. “Disease has really set in and took the top end off the crop. Still too early to tell what's going to happen.”

But other growers are getting ready for a harvest that’s rapidly approaching.

“Crops look really good,” said a grower in central Minnesota with 210-bushel corn and 65-bushel soybeans. “The early beans are really turning and the corn is opening up and drying down.”

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.

Follow along with the season here:

Feedback From The Field - Sept. 4, 2018 - Conditions improve last week as soybeans impress.

Feedback From The Field - Aug. 27, 2018 - Crops improved last week but some fields still suffer.

Feedback From The Field - Aug. 20, 2018 - Boom or bust yields look possible ahead of harvest.

Feedback From The Field - Aug. 9, 2018 - Farmers see good corn and soybean crops so far.

Feedback From The Field - Aug. 6, 2018 - Corn fades, beans come on.

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.