USDA: Rain, Cooler Weather Helping Corn, Soybeans

While much of the midwest is in a moderate to severe drought, many farmers are feeling the effects of their dying crop, such as this farm west of Center Point, Iowa, on Tuesday, July 11, 2012. (Nikole Hanna/The Gazette-KCRG)

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Aug 13, 2012 at 4:15 PM CDT

Story Updated: Aug 13, 2012 at 4:15 PM CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A new crop condition report shows cooler weather and spotty rainfall in the middle of the country has slowed the deterioration of the nation's corn and soybean crop.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in the 18 states that grow most of the corn, 51 percent of the crop was rated very poor or poor last week. It was 50 percent a week earlier.

Twenty-six percent of the corn was rated fair, compared with 27 percent a week earlier. Twenty-three percent remained rated good or excellent.

Thirty-eight percent of soybeans were rated very poor or poor, compared with 39 percent the week before. Thirty-two percent remained in fair condition. Thirty percent was good or excellent, in a slight improvement from 29 percent the prior week.

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