A summer of intense heat has forced some

fall crops to mature early in Kansas despite recent moisture and

break in temperatures.

Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service reported Monday that 21

percent of the corn crop has matured, well ahead of the normal 15

percent in late August.

Corn condition was rated 12 percent excellent, 49 percent good

and 28 percent fair. About 11 percent is in poor to very poor

condition.

About 1 percent of sorghum has matured. None of the crop had

matured at this time last year.

Soybean condition is rated 17 percent poor to very poor. About

31 percent is in fair shape, while 43 percent of the crop is rated

good and 9 percent is rated excellent.