South Dakota’s corn and soybean crops continue to make progress as farmers head into September, according to the latest USDA Crop Progress report released Monday.

Corn is moving toward maturity, with 59 percent of the South Dakota crop dented, up from 40 percent a week earlier and ahead of the five-year average of 45 percent. About 10 percent of the corn crop is mature, compared with just 3 percent at the same point last year and a five-year average of 4 percent.

The crop condition remains mixed. 35 percent of South Dakota corn is rated good and 4 percent excellent, while 29 percent is rated fair. 11 percent is considered very poor and 21 percent poor.

Soybeans are also progressing. 97 percent of South Dakota soybeans have reached the pod-setting stage, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 93 percent.

10 percent of the soybean crop has begun dropping leaves, compared with a five-year average of 11 percent.

Soybean condition is somewhat stronger than corn, with 41 percent rated good and 4 percent excellent. Thirty percent is rated fair, while 18 percent is poor and 7 percent very poor.

Moisture conditions will continue to be an important factor as crops finish. South Dakota reported 34 percent of topsoil moisture as very short and 46 percent short, while 19 percent was considered adequate. Subsoil moisture stood at 8 percent very short, 38 percent short and 19 percent adequate.

With corn rapidly approaching maturity and soybeans beginning to turn, South Dakota farmers are now looking toward the final weeks of the growing season and the start of harvest.