After the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last week that a series of farm reports would be delayed by the ongoing partial government shutdown, ag watchers anxious for crop updates turned to private crop forecasters — but say it is difficult to replace what the USDA provides, reports Reuters. In the void, crop forecaster Gro Intelligence has offered free access to its data platform since Dec. 27; Farmers Business Network released crop yield estimates on Friday, although the company’s chief economist warned data would not be as comprehensive as the USDA’s report.