With harvest picking up speed last week, farmers liked what they found. Growers reporting Feedback From The Field for the first time rated crops and yields better than the USDA reported both in its Crop Progress report and Sept. 12 production estimates.

Corn yield ranged from 150 bushels per acre to 210 bpa, with soybeans coming at in 40 bpa to 70 bpa.

“Unbelievable crops,” posted a central Indiana grower with corn and soybeans yields both 20 bushels or more above average.

Two producers in South Dakota and Kansas agreed after estimate corn yields at 210 bpa and soybeans at 60 and 70 bpa respectively.

But too much rain plagued growers elsewhere.

“Too much rain in August” was the report from central Minnesota, where a farm had 10 inches during that key month. The producer said 175 bushel corn was better than 45 bushel soybeans, because “Lots of soybeans lodged.”

Heavy rains also inundated crops in the Delta, where elevators haven’t been getting enough good beans yet from the Midwest to mixed in with local crops suffering damage.

Two growers in Louisiana cited problems from excess rainfall. Shippers refused to take damaged soybeans, said one producer. “We haven't had many days with rain lately after a dry summer,” said the other.

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 - Sept. 24, 2018 - Growers not as optimistic as USDA

Feedback From The Field - Sept. 17, 2018 - Growers not as optimistic as USDA, but still see better yields.

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.