USDA raised its forecast for 2017 corn and soybean yields on Sept. 12. But farmers reporting Feedback From The Field last week headed in the other direction, cutting production estimates due to a stressful growing season ending in some areas with drought and disease pressure.

After increasing yield estimates consistently for a month, producers slashed their outlook for both crops. Even those reporting potential for 200-bushel corn are concerned.

“Crops continue to lag and soybeans are getting smoked by white mold issues,” said a grower southwest of Minneapolis who lowered yield estimates. Though his corn was at 205 bpa, soybeans were only 45 bpa, well below USDA nationwide average of nearly 50 bpa.

“Late season dryness is hurting soybeans and affecting test weights in the corn,” reported a southern Wisconsin farmer looking for 200 bushel corn and 50 bushel beans.

Other producers in northern states were worried about late maturity after a cool August.

“Even 99-day corn is only about half milk line with a May 6 planting date,” reported a southwest Minnesota farmer looking at 218 bushel corn and 64 bushel soybean who was also concerned about white mold. “I feel the top end of yields has been taken off.”

Frost is a concern in Nebraska, where a cold snap already took temperatures in a few areas below freezing. The shift from a wet start to dry weather in the second half of the growing season has left some producers in the eastern Corn Belt looking at poor crops for another year.

“Since May floods only two-thirds of normal rain,” posted a farmer from northeast Indiana.” Much of April planted corn is only 50% milk line. Thus, 2 to 3 weeks behind schedule.  Soybeans have done very little the last 2 weeks as far as filling pods due to cold nights and lack of rain. “

Another Hoosier north of Indianapolis said corn has caught up in height but will be hurt by slow development early, estimating yields at only 130 bpa: “The yield limit was set for the corn, back when the corn was having a hard time growing.  We can't get that back.”

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

Feedback from the Field - Sept. 11, 2017 - Yields look decent but lagging development raises red flag