With more growers getting in the field to harvest, corn and soybean yield reported to Feedback From The Field last week improved. But a producer from southern Kentucky summed up what many producers have noted this year: highly variable yields.

“Corn yields go from 80 to 200 depending on the spot in the field,” was the post. “Best yields are happening on well drained ground that usually is the poorest performers.”

Despite the boom or bust nature of conditions, average corn yields improved to 173 bushels per acre, still more than eight bpa below the record 181.3 estimate from USDA Sept. 12. Average soybean yields increased to 52.7 bpa, just a tenth of a bushel under USDA’s projection.

While the Kentucky grower expected just 150-bushel corn on average, another producer in the state was much better, looking at yields of 210 bushels per acre. “Early corn a little better than expected,” was the comment.

Too much or too little rain was the problem in some areas.

 “Rain caused loss of nitrogen,” said an Ohio grower with 170-bushel corn and 50-bushel soybeans. “Lots of completely dead corn here. Small ears and stalks.”

Another grower north of Columbus, Ohio had 60-bushel soybeans, but only 165-bushel corn.

A farmer in southern Illinois with 210 corn and 70 beans said fields were helped and hurt by the moisture. “All the rain we needed, maybe more allowed crops to reach potential other than drowned out spots,” was the comment.

More localized events were the problem for some farms. “Late July hail storm really clobbered a nice-looking crop,” said a grower in eastern Nebraska. “Irrigated corn is off 100 plus from a normal year with some fields totaled out. Lots of bean fields with single digit yields. Makes 2012 look like a good year.”

A producer in northwest Iowa reported 180-bushel corn and 55-bushel soybeans, with corn yield docked 20% from a greensnap event 

But the word from north central Iowa about soybeans was better: “Cut 150 acres Monday on perfect ground, yielded 77 bpa.”

Rains in in east central Minnesota rains also produced big crops. “Combined a field of early beans that was 64 bushels an acre,” said a producer there. “Corn looks extremely good.”

And a central Indiana grower was ecstatic about soybean results from two 100-acre fields. “Not our best fields with some clay hills,” the farmer said. “Record yields of 72.22 and 76.25 !!!”

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. 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.