NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- One third of Louisiana's soybean crop and nearly a quarter of its cotton are in poor or very poor condition because of the recent hot, dry spell.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said more than 20 percent of at least three other crops were in similarly poor conditions for the week that ended Sunday. USDA, in its regular crop report, said growth of the state's sugarcane had slowed because of the weather and that some leaves were browning.

USDA rated 88 percent of the state as short or very short on soil moisture last week.

In Mississippi, 60 percent of pasture land was considered in poor or very poor condition, with soil moisture 79 percent short or very short.