Corn and soybean harvest passed the halfway point last week of what was an unusual growing season in many areas. While reports to Feedback From The Field noted improved conditions from the prior week, even those with good yields cited highly variable results.

“The bean yields are up and down,” said a producer from north central Iowa with production running from 44 to 65 bushels per acre.

Average yields reported so far in October are running 174.2 bpa for corn and 49 bpa for soybeans, both considerably below those reported by USDA earlier this month. Growers cited a variety of reasons for the downturn.

“No record crops in our area,” was the update from eastern South Dakota. “Too wet all summer and now fighting the mud to get crops out.”

The producer put average corn yields at 180 bpa for corn, 35 less than a year ago. “Soybean yield similar to last year if you treated with a fungicide. Otherwise down 10 bushels per acre.”

A Kentucky grower faced similar issues with soybeans. “Lot of disease in our beans, running about 15 bushels under last year on 2000 acres.”

While much of the growing region received fairly light precipitation last week, rain soaked parts of the Delta after a dry summer that hurt corn. “1500 acres of beans, only 200 harvested,” said a farmer from Louisiana, where damage has left many with no place to sell their crop.

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. 20, 2018 - Farmers start returning to fields, don’t like what they see.

Feedback From The Field - Oct. 15, 2018 - Farmers downgrade ratings, yields after heavy rains.

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.