Across the Corn Belt, near- or below-normal temperatures continue to benefit filling corn and soybeans. Although dry weather prevails across much of the Corn Belt, showers and a few thunderstorms are spreading across the upper Midwest. Any rain is beneficial for immature summer crops, including soybeans and late-planted corn. By August 14, only 16% of the U.S. corn crop had begun to dent, behind the 5-year average of 20%.
On the Plains, mild, mostly dry weather favors summer crop maturation.