Farm Progress

Farmers downgrade ratings, yields after heavy rains.

Bryce Knorr 1, Senior Market Analyst, Farm Futures

October 15, 2018

4 Min Read
korhil65/ThinkstockPhotos

A very wet start to harvest in the first half of October dampened more than fields. Crop ratings by growers reporting Feedback From The Field last week declined significantly, taking yield expectations lower as well.

Farmers put average corn yields at 181.7 bushels per acre, down from lofty levels the two previous weeks. Soybean yields also tumbled, coming it at 50.6 bpa. USDA, by contrast, estimated yields as of Oct. 1 at 180.7 bpa for corn and 53.1 bpa for soybeans.

Yield variations remain extreme, ranging from 240 bpa all the down to 130 bpa for corn. Soybean yield estimates from growers varied from 75 bpa to just 24 bpa.

“Have not seen the sun more than 20 hours in 14 days,” said a grower in Wisconsin, one of many from northern states impacted by cold, wet conditions. “No harvest activity in the past 2 1/2 weeks. Will need 10 days without rain to get back in the fields.”

Another producer from the Badger State is waiting for more cold weather to get done: “Some crops won't be accessible until the ground freezes,” was the post, like many noting losses accumulating.

Some farms further west are already on their way towards those conditions.

“Soybeans and corn buried in snow,” in northwestern Minnesota according to a producer there.

“Soybeans look good have not been able to harvest any yet due to wet weather,” added another from North Dakota.  “Now have 10 inches of snow on them.”

Farms in the eastern Midwest were spared from some of the heaviest precipitation last week but still were impacted. “Weather slowing harvest but not ruining it,” said a northern Indiana farmer hoping for 215-bushel corn and 72-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 - Oct. 11, 2018 - Heavy rains increase worries about damage to crops.

Feedback From The Field - Oct. 8, 2018 - Ratings ease a little but yields hold up strong despite variations.

Feedback From The Field - Oct. 1, 2018 - Producers see improved conditions as more enter fields.

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.

About the Author(s)

Bryce Knorr 1

Senior Market Analyst, Farm Futures

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