LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The condition of Nebraska’s crops continues to deteriorate because of this summer’s hot and dry weather

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday in its weekly report on Nebraska’s crops that some damaged corn fields are being cut for hay because of the drought.

Little precipitation fell in the state last week, and temperatures averaged 4 degrees above normal.

About 35 percent of the corn crop is in good or excellent condition. That’s well behind the 78 percent average.

The USDA says 24 percent of the soybean crop is in good or excellent shape. That’s behind the 75 percent average.

About 3 percent of the state’s pastures are in good or excellent shape. And livestock producers who are short on feed are culling their herds.