Click the large green dots on the interactive map to see yield estimates. Smaller dots represent condition reports from throughout the spring and summer.  Note that the map may need to be refreshed to display all the locations.

While the pace of harvest remains slow this fall, the latest results show improving corn yields and a very good year for soybeans, according to the latest Feedback From The Field provided this week.

A producer north of New Ulm, Minnesota, was typical: “Corn very uneven due to frost in spring.”  Still, while his corn yields were put at 170 bpa, the soybeans were at 75 bpa – “Soybeans best ever.”

Harvest is getting off to a slow start this fall. (Photo: sprokop/Thinkstock)

Average corn yields reported last week rose to 168.5 bpa. That’s close to results from our August survey and the weather model based on June stress and July weather, but below USDA’s current forecast of 174.4.

Wet weather is keeping growers out of the field in some areas, causing problems with diseases, while crops are still not mature elsewhere. In southern areas where harvest is ahead, the common phrase used was “disappointing.”

“Decease heavy in late corn,” said a Kentucky producer south of Louisville who was 100% harvested with only 148 bpa corn but hoped for 65 bpa soybeans.

Early harvest was also somewhat tough in the southwest.

“First field was down about 25 (bpa) from what we thought it would be,” commented a producer near Clay Center, Kansas, with 125 bpa yields on corn.  Said another in the eastern part of the state:  “More corn was down and we have morning glories clogging the combine. We will need to wait for a frost to finish corn rather than taking it now.”

Even in areas with good yields, conditions weren’t perfect. “Sudden Death in soybeans,” noted a producer near Boone, Iowa, site of this year’s Farm Progress Show, with 210 bpa corn and 60 bpa beans. “High level of plant disease last half of season for corn.”

Click this link to give us your own Feedback on 2016 yields.

Feedback from the Field - Sept. 23, 2016 - Yield variations reflect year of weather extremes

Feedback from the Field - Sept. 16, 2016 - Despite problems, growers report better yields

Feedback from the Field - Sept. 12, 2016 - Growers report concern about corn yields, soybeans look better

Feedback from the Field - Sept. 6, 2016 - Growers report wide range of corn and soybean yields

Feedback from the Field - Aug. 29, 2016 - Growers say crops are good, not great

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