20110726 1244 Commodities Related News.

July 25 (Bloomberg) -- The condition of the U.S. corn and soybean crops worsened last week as hot, dry Midwest weather increased stress on developing plants, the Department of Agriculture said. About 62 percent of the corn in the top 18 producing states was in good or excellent condition as of yesterday, down from 66 percent a week earlier and 72 percent a year earlier, the USDA said today in a report. About 65 percent of the plants were reproducing, up from 35 percent a week earlier. An estimated 62 percent of the soybean crop got the top ratings, compared with 64 percent a week earlier and 67 percent a year earlier. About 60 percent of the plants were flowering, up from 40 percent a week earlier, the USDA said.