Scattered rains, storms on the Plains; extreme heat/humidity Texas; fair, dry in the Corn Belt

Across the Corn Belt, smoky, hazy conditions continue to plague portions of the upper Midwest.  Meanwhile, any lingering showers are confined to the upper Great Lakes region.  Across most corn- and soybean-production areas, relatively cool but dry weather is further reducing soil moisture availability.  Nearly all areas of the Corn Belt have reported below-average rainfall in recent weeks, leading to a gradual reduction in crop and pasture vitality.

On the Plains, hot weather across much of Texas is starting to reverse some of the positive agricultural effects of recent rainfall. 

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