The USDA’s latest Crop Progress report showed national corn and soybean condition ratings slipping for the week ending August 31. Corn rated good to excellent fell two points to 69%, while soybeans dropped four points to 65%. Cooler weather eased crop stress in parts of the Corn Belt, but limited rainfall and the threat of early frost remain concerns.

For corn, 90% has reached the dough stage, 58% is dented, and 15% is mature. Progress is tracking close to the five-year average of 91% in the dough stage, 60% in the dented stage and 14% mature. Poor-to-very-poor ratings rose to 9%. That is still better than last year’s 12%. State conditions varied: Iowa corn held steady at 84% good to excellent, while Nebraska slipped to 76% and Indiana to 61%.

Soybean development is also near average, with 94% setting pods and 11% dropping leaves. Ten percent is rated poor to very poor. Iowa and South Dakota reported 77% of soybeans in good-to-excellent condition, with Minnesota coming in at 75%.

Spring wheat harvest advanced rapidly to 72% complete. This is ahead of both last year and the five-year average of 71%. South Dakota is leading the harvest at 91% complete, with Minnesota following up at 90%. Forecasts call for scattered showers, cooler temperatures, and possible early frost in northern areas.

Read more from the latest USDA Crop Progress Report here.