Yield potential for 2018 crops, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Growers reporting Feedback From The Field this week rated crops from excellent to very poor, citing a variety of conditions.

Frequent rains caused some to be optimistic, agreeing with USDA crop ratings for corn and soybeans that remain very strong.

“Optimum rainfall,” said a producer in western Wisconsin between the Twin Cities and La Crosse. “Corn looks great.”

Corn was also rated excellent in Central Illinois. A farmer near the Indiana-Ohio state line still rated fields excellent, but sounded a note of caution during a hot, dry week: “Above normal heat and pollination are generally not a good combination for corn.”

Dry areas are starting show stress on Vegetation Health Index maps we analyze. One of those spots is Michigan, where a grower in the central part of the state hasn’t seen a rain since June 27. “The corn and soybeans are really starting to show stress,” said the post.

Parts of Missouri are showing extreme drought according to the latest Drought Monitor, which shows dry conditions extending into southeast Iowa and western Illinois.

“Our crops are burning up with the heat and no moisture,” said a producer in Missouri. “The corn crop, I am afraid, is a total loss.”

A farmers south of Iowa City, Iowa hasn’t seen rain for two weeks after a dry June, with corn curling at only moderate temperatures. “We're on the ‘edge’ of damage happening to yield potential,” was the fear.

But on the north side of I-80 the issue was too much rain, at a minimum causing nitrogen loss according to several Iowa growers. And in southern Minnesota, flooding was an issue.

“Extreme amounts of rain -- too wet to spray or replant,” said a producer, who rated corn and soybean fields in poor condition.

What’s happening out your way? Click this Feedback From The Fieldlink 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 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.