U.S. corn and soybean crops are maintaining their faster-than-typical maturity rates while the condition of corn acres declined somewhat and soybeans held their own, according to USDA’s Sept. 2 Crop Conditions report.

The condition of this year’s corn crop is reported to be 67% “good” (46%) and “excellent” (21%) heading toward the harvest homestretch. This is down 1% from a week earlier when 68% of the crop was rated as “good” (47%) and “excellent” (21%). A year ago at this point, 61% of corn was rated as “good” (48%) and “excellent” (13%).

Nearly all corn acres (96%) are at the dough stage. This compares to 92% a week earlier, 91% on this date last year and the 5 year average of 91%. Some 75% of the corn crop is in the dented stage vs. 61% in the previous week, 58% a year earlier and the 5 year average of 60%. In terms of maturity, 22% of the crop is rated as “mature.” This is up from 10% last week, 11% a year ago at this time and the 5 year average of 11%.

For soybeans, 66% are rated as “good” (49%) and “excellent” (17%). There was no change from the previous week, but it’s up from 61% last year at this time (50% “good” and 11% “excellent”).

About 16% of the soybean crop are reported to be dropping leaves. This is increased from 7% a week earlier, 10% on this date last year and the 5 year average of 9%.