While growers posting Feedback From The Field last week continue to report highly variable corn and soybean yields, overall conditions improved. Soybeans in particular appear to be gaining thanks to August rains.

In all, farmers reporting yields in August estimated average soybean yields at 51.8 bushels per acre, slightly higher than USDA reported Aug. 10. Yields posted last week ranged from 25 bpa to 70 bpa, typical of the variation seen this year.

Average corn yields reported in August came in at 170.7 bpa, though the median was higher at 180. Corn yields last week ranged from 75 bpa to 225 bpa.

“Corn looks very good,” said a central Wisconsin farmer with 220 bpa corn and 70 bpa beans. “Some early planted corn ready to black layer. Most beans look very good, but some are showing sudden death. Looks like an early harvest.”

“Corn is tipped back and some small ears due to lack of rain and heat, but an excellent population,” said a grower with 225-bushel corn and 68-bushel soybeans near the Illinois River southwest of Peoria. The area started dry, but appeared to recover: “We received just enough rain to make a good crop.  Beans have received nice late rains to really help them and fill out what was looking like a lot of flat pods.”

In south central Minnesota, excess moisture was the problem typical of a boom or bust year.

“We were by far too wet too long and have drowned out areas which are fairly large,” said a grower there. “Farmers are chopping silage and seeing yields at 180-190 average. Not as good as we were thinking.”

But rains weren’t in time to help crops in Missouri, part of a belt from southern Iowa into eastern Kansas hit by drought.

“Finally some rain last week,” said a producer in northern Missouri with 75-bushel corn and 25-bushel soybeans. “Too late for corn.”

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 - 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.