Wichita ? The winter wheat crop deteriorated last week in Kansas as temperatures soared with little rain to provide much-needed moisture, Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service said.

In its weekly crop weather update, the agency said 23 percent of the crop was in very poor to poor condition. Another 39 percent was rated as fair. About 34 percent was in good shape and 4 percent was excellent.

Dusti Fritz, chief executive officer for the Kansas Wheat Commission, said that while the crop still looks pretty good, it is starting to show signs of stress.

A growing concern is that because the state had such a mild winter and relatively warm spring, the wheat is further into its development than usual.

The rapidly maturing crop shortens the length of time the crop has left in which rain would be beneficial, meaning it needs to rain in the next three to four weeks for the precipitation to help the crop’s quality and size.