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.

While the trade expects USDA to report big corn yields in Friday’s first official production estimate, farmers providing their own assessments rate the crop average at best.  Growers supplying Feedback From The Field last week downgraded their ratings of corn and soybeans, with corn taking the biggest hit.

The decline in corn followed the direction of the latest Vegetation Health Index for the crop.  The VHI slipped .75 bpa to 166.1, according to Farm Futures projections, while  updated July weather data for key states, though still preliminary, suggests yields of 167.8 bpa.

Those forecasts are below the estimates of our Farm Futures survey at 168.6 bpa, with the average guess in the industry at 170.6 bpa.  Weekly ratings put out by USDA point to yields of 175 or better, but growers continue to dispute those Crop Progress reports.

“Crop is not anywhere close to what USDA ratings suggest,” said a producer from central South Dakota, who said the crop was feeling the impact of a “very hot and dry summer.”

“Most corn will be lucky to make 50, some will never see a combine.”

Farmers elsewhere where also disappointed. Said an Iowa producer:  “Only 1" or so of rain in July. Yield will be considerably less than 2015.”

Despite lower ratings for soybeans this week, soybean conditions were stronger than corn.  Though an Illinois farmer said corn fields suffered a 20% loss from high winds, “otherwise we actually have had constant rain. Beans are thriving -- weeds too -- disease may be a problem.”

An Iowa producer whose corn yields could be down 10 to 20 bpa due to late frost and some pollination problems said the soybeans were much better.  “Beans look amazing, tall very little disease so far.”

The latest Vegetation Health Index for soybeans was mostly steady last week, keeping the projected yield from our model at 46.8 bpa. That’s close to estimate from the Farm Futures survey at 46.65 bpa, which is the lowest in the industry, which as at 47.6 bpa on average.

Click this link to give us your own Feedback.

Click on the link below to see vegetative health charts.

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