USDA releases its first survey-based estimates of corn and soybean yields Aug. 10. Those numbers should be somewhat better than average according to growers reporting Feedback From The Field this week.

Despite myriad challenges from weather during the spring and summer so far, yield estimates on balance were positive. The median corn yield posted this week was 180 bushels per acre for corn, with soybeans at 55 bpa. Both those estimates are above trade guesses and Farm Futures own survey eaded into the USDA report, reflecting some big individual yields from irrigated fields and high-yielding states like Illinios.

“Looks great to the best in years where no hail,” said a producer from central Nebraska with 250 corn and 75 bushel soybeans.

“Rains came at the right time,” was the report from an east central Wisconsin farm with 195 bushel corn and 65 bushel soybeans.

But other producers were wary. Ratings dipped in July and some fields never recovered.

Three growers from the same state, Illinois, show the challenges they faced.

“Had a very good-looking corn crop until a wind storm came through on July 28,” was the post from southwestern Illinois, where greensnap took half or more of some fields. ”Average crops overall.” That meant 155 bushels for corn and 55 for soybeans.

“No rain and hot temperatures really put a damper on the projected excellent crop,” said a producer in the northwestern part of the state with yields of 180 corn and 50-bushel soybeans.

Still, it’s difficult to peg yields with the growing season still underway, especially in soybeans.

“Crops look good from the road, but early lack of rain followed by long periods of excessive heat has stressed the crop,” said another Illinois producer, this one from the eastern part of the state near the Indiana border. The producer put corn at 220 bpa and guessed at 60 bpa soybeans: ”Soybeans are still in critical stage, too early to get good estimate of yield potential.”

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. 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.