(AP) — The condition of the corn crop in Nebraska and nationally has declined slightly as a late summer dry hot spell settles in over Midwest states renewing fears of a crop damaging drought.

The Department of Agriculture says in Monday’s weekly report that 44 percent of dry land corn is in good or excellent condition, down a percentage point from a week ago and lower than the 59 percent average.

Nebraska irrigated corn is 81 percent good or excellent compared to 79 percent a week ago.

Nationally a slightly larger percentage of the corn crop slipped into poor or very poor category.

Nebraska soybeans are now 6 percent poor or very poor, up from 5 percent the week before. A slight decline also is reported nationally.