Corn and soybean conditions improved last week according to growers reporting Feedback From The Field. But stress remains in many areas from a growing season that’s seen cold, drought, winds and floods affect fields.

Average corn yields bounced back to 170 bushels per acre last week with farmers putting soybeans at 49.7 bpa. Those estimates are up from the previous week but would be below the 178.4 and 51.6 yields USDA reported Aug. 10. The median corn yield reported so far in August by producers is 175 bpa for corn, with average soybean yields at 51 bpa.

Illinois looks like the garden spot of the Midwest according to producers checking in last week.

“During the summer got rains just in time,” was the report from west central Illinois. “Now getting regular rain so soybeans should be really good.” Corn yields of 235 bpa and 70 bpa for soybeans were expected.

“Timely rains following optimal planting conditions,” said another western Illinois farmer with 210 corn and 65 beans. “Could rival last year in corn, and definitely a good one for beans.”

Too much rain, or too little, hurt prospects for others.

“What once was a fabulous looking crop, is going downhill very fast,” said a producer in central Minnesota with 125-bushel corn and 40-bushel soybeans.

Torrential rains and 75 MPH winds created hurricane-like conditions for those in parts of northwest Iowa. “Soybeans are flattened in places,” said a producer there with 170 bpa corn and 55 bpa beans

Rains provided too much of a good thing in eastern Indiana. “Excellent crops heading south,” moaned a farmer there. “Too much rain in the last month.“

While rains could start to ease drought conditions in eastern Kansas and Missouri, damage was already done to crops in the region. “Sad situation,” said a producer in Kansas with 75-bushel corn and only 15-bushel soybeans.

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 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 - 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.