The high heat and dry conditions continues to worsen the U.S. corn and soybean crops, according to the USDA.

USDA, in its weekly Crop Progress Report, downgraded the corn crop's good/excellent rating to 56%, compared to 59% a week ago.

Also, the report rated 26% of the crop fair, and 18% very poor-poor. The USDA indicated 5% of the crop has entered the dented stage, slightly ahead of a year ago at 4%. The corn silking was estimated at 91%, the same as a year ago, and 25% in the dough stage.

For soybeans, the good/excellent rating dropped 1% to 53%. While 30% of the crop is rated as fair, 17% is very poor-poor. Also, 87% of the soybeans are blooming, slightly behind 89% from a year ago. USDA, estimated 53% of the soybean plants are setting pods.

The winter wheat harvest, rated at 91% complete, is way ahead of 88% from a year ago. The spring wheat crop is rated 32% good/excellent, 33% fair, and 35% very poor-poor. Meanwhile, the USDA estimated 22% of the spring wheat is harvested, sharply higher than 7% from a year ago.

For cotton, the U.S. crop is rated at 39% good/excellent, 27% fair, and 34% very poor-poor. Also, 70% of the crop is setting bolls, ahead of 67% from a year ago.

The high heat and dry conditions continues to worsen the U.S. corn and soybean crops, according to the USDA.