The first full week of September proved hot and dry for most of Iowa. With little to no rain, little help was afforded to already-struggling crops. However, according to USDA’s crop conditions report, soybean conditions did note some improvement. Corn remains unchanged in the state, though it has seen some improvement across the wider U.S. corn belt.

Both corn and soybeans are rated 66% good to excellent, with soybeans improving by a noticeable 3%. According to Iowa State Climatologist Justin Glisan, the forecast ahead shows warmer and drier-than-normal conditions through October. Though this weather won’t help drought conditions, it will help the natural dry-down of crops ahead of harvest.

Read more on Iowa weather and soybean conditions here.