Frost nipped a few fields last week in Nebraska. Growers elsewhere are holding their breath, concerned about slow development of crops. While most of the worries posted on Feedback From The Field last week focused on northern states, even some producers much further south are noting problems.

“Corn won't dry down!” said a producer south of Lexington, Kentucky. And that wet corn comes at a bad time for those still needing propane, because prices of drying fuels surged in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

Still, the Kentucky producer rated his fields good, estimating yields of 185 bushels per acre. That’s the conundrum facing growers as the growing season tries to wind down. Yields don’t appear as bad as some feared earlier in the summer, even as the crop hasn’t been safely tucked away in the bin.

Growers reporting last week raised estimates of corn and soybean yields. Corn came in at 168.5 bushels per acre, with soybeans at 47.9 bpa. Both are below USDA’s Aug. 10 projections, though the corn number is just a bushel away.

Still, an at times difficult growing season isn’t making the home stretch any easier.

“Crops lagging in maturity,” said a producer southwest of Minneapolis, who is looking for a 5% to 10% yield loss.

Further north in the state crops look good, but the clock is ticking, said another producer.

“The corn crop looks good but it is at least 2 to 3 weeks behind,” the grower commented. “The soybean crop is also way behind. Our soybeans are grass green and show no sign of turning yellow.”

Over in Wisconsin, a farmer in the central part of the state has coped with a variety of problems: “Knolls are drying up. Wet spots drowned out from spring. Ears in general are not as big as last year and corn is behind by about 2 weeks”

Click this Feedback From The Field link to rate crops in your area and provide yield estimates in your fields. We’ll update reports 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 season progress by clicking on the links below.

Feedback from the field - April 24, 2017 - Growers report slow start in northwest Corn Belt.

Feedback from the Field - April 28, 2017 - ‘Baby it’s cold outside’ isn’t the song farmers want to hear.

Feedback from the Field - May 8, 2017 - Emergence sputters as planting slows

Feedback from the Field - May 12, 2017 - Farms make progress but weather still an issue

Feedback from the Field - May 17, 2017 - Growers wary of this week’s new storms

Feedback from the Field - May 19, 2017 - Farmers face cold, wet end to May

Feedback from the Field - May 23, 2017 - Planting proceeds, questions remain

Feedback from the Field - May 26, 2017 - Some growers wonder if it will ever stop raining

Feedback from the Field - June 5, 2017 - Emerging drought threatens spring wheat crop

Feedback from the Field - June 7, 2017 - Progress, problems noted in early growing season

Feedback from the Field - June 12, 2017 - Conditions turned hot and dry last week

Feedback from the Field - June 19, 2017 - Rains improve conditions, but challenges remain

Feedback from the Field - June 26, 2017 - Crops improve but remain below average in year of extremes

Feedback from the Field - July 3, 2017 - Farmers report dire conditions on the northern Plains

Feedback from the Field - July 10, 2017 - Growers still say conditions are below USDA’s crop ratings

Feedback From The Field - July 17, 2017 - Too much or too little: No Goldilocks moment for U.S. crops

Feedback from the Field - July 31, 2017 - Growers say crops still suffering despite rain and cooler temperatures

Feedback from the Field - Aug. 7, 2017 - Growers note small improvement overall in corn and soybeans last week

Feedback from the Field - Aug. 14, 2017 - Crops improve but growers say yields are below USDA forecast

Feedback from the Field - Aug. 21, 2017 - Rain still crucial as growing season winds down

Feedback from the Field - Aug. 28, 2017 - Mild weather improves crops though problem pockets persist

Feedback from the Field - Sept. 5, 2017 - Growers report lower corn and soybean yields than USDA forecasts