Click the large green dots on the interactive map to see reports from this week, with the larger orange dots showing last week’s comments. Note that the map may need to be refreshed to display all the locations.

USDA doesn’t update its official yield estimates for 2016 corn and soybeans until Sept. 12. But there are signs the agency’s first August forecasts may be too optimistic, especially for corn.

Assessments by farmers reporting Feedback from The Field since mid-August generally rated their crops losing ground compared to earlier in the month. While overall conditions remain good outside a few trouble spots, some producers doubt they’ll harvest record production this year.

There are signs USDA’s first August yield forecasts may be too optimistic, especially for corn. (Photo: branex/Thinkstock)

“Ear weight calculations indicate above average yield but about 10% less than last year’s record,” said a Kentucky producer. “Beans look very good but a little early for yield assessments.”

Heat earlier in the growing season continues to be a red flag for yield prospects in many areas, keeping fields from reaching full potential.

“Plants look good and green but 15%-30% of the plants don't have ears, added an Iowa farmer from near Waterloo. “Too much heat during pollination.”

Tip back and green snap are the biggest concerns for corn.

“Corn looks very good from the road, but extensive walking of fields shows problems with tip back and corn has been hurt from overly saturated soils,” reported a producer from near the Illinois River.  “Corn crop should still be very good, but not as good as 2014.  The pod counts still seem to be lacking in soybean fields because of excessive plant growth.  SDS is really starting to show in many fields and also reports of white mold.  Hopefully soybeans will have average yields, but that is doubtful if disease pressure continues to worsen.”

In Nebraska green snap was not uncommon after an early July storm. But August rains helped soybeans according to one farmer there: “Soybean yield prospects look pretty good now with recent rains.”

With harvest beginning in some areas, we want your yield reports. Click this link to give us your own Feedback.

Feedback from the Field - Aug. 19, 2016 - Growers say crops are good, bad and ugly

Feedback from the Field - Aug. 8, 2016 - Farmers say corn crop looks average, not great

Feedback from the Field - Aug. 3, 2016 - Farmers say don't judge the crop from the road

Feedback from the Field - Aug. 1, 2016 - Growers sound more optimistic about crops

Feedback from the Field - July 25, 2016 - Corn, soybean crops improve despite blast of heat

Feedback from the Field - July 20, 2016 - Heat backs West, but growers in East are worried

Feedback from the Field - July 18, 2016 - Growers report boom or bust conditions ahead of heat wave

Feedback from the Field - July 11, 2016 - Rains help improve corn and soybean conditions as heat wave approaches

Feedback from the Field - June 30, 2016 - Crop conditions ease as corn enters crucial test

Feedback from the Field - June 27, 2016 - Many areas still short of rain

Feedback from the Field - June 17, 2016 - Wheat looks great, but corn and soybeans start to wilt in the heat

Feedback from the Field - June 13, 2016 - Crops off to good start, but need rain

Feedback from the Field - June 8, 2016 - Growers say heat will help some crops, hurt others.

Feedback from the Field - June 6, 2016 - Crops improve, but growers see too much or too little rain

Feedback from the Field - May 31, 2016 - Corn slowly improves ahead of first USDA ratings

Feedback from the Field - May 25, 2016 - Goldilocks spring hard to find in Corn Belt

Feedback from the Field - May 23, 2016 - Corn Belt dries out a little as mid-May deadline arrives

Feedback from the Field - May 18, 2016 - Growers worry about frost damage from weekend's chill

Feedback from the Field - May 14, 2016 - Growers hope to get back into the field

Feedback from the Field - May 13, 2016 - Planting delays grab market's attention

Feedback from the Field - May 11, 2016 - It's deju vu all over again as wet weather continues

Feedback from the Field - May 9, 2016 - Weather challenges farmers in eastern Midwest

Feedback from the Field - May 3, 2016 - Growers say wet weather stalls planting

Feedback from the Field - May 2, 2016 - Some crops off to slow start as wet and cold hamper planting