Topeka ? Amid scattered showers last week across the state, including strong storms with hail in the western part, farmers continued preparing the ground for fall planting and began harvesting corn, the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service said Monday.

Condition of most crops was average or better, and a majority of topsoil and subsoil moisture was at least adequate, KASS said.

Ninety-eight percent of the corn crop was in the dough stage, slightly ahead of 95 percent last year and the five-year average. But the crop was a little slower than normal in maturing, with only 22 percent mature compared with 36 percent at this time last year and the five-year average of 26 percent.

Corn condition is rated 2 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 47 percent good and 15 percent excellent.

Soybeans are lagging slightly behind in setting pods at 83 percent, compared with 89 percent last year and 87 percent for the five-year average.

Soybean condition is rated 1 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 35 percent fair, 49 percent good and 8 percent excellent.

Ninety-four percent of the sorghum crop is headed, compared with 87 percent last year and the average of 84 percent. Forty-two percent is coloring, slightly behind last year’s 43 percent but ahead of the five-year average of 37 percent.

Sorghum condition is rated at 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 55 percent good and 15 percent excellent.

Sunflowers are progressing ahead of normal, with 94 percent bloomed compared with 79 percent last year and the average of 88 percent.

The crop’s condition is rated 3 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 60 percent good and 10 percent excellent.

Cotton condition was rated 15 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 45 percent good and 10 percent excellent.

KASS said topsoil moisture was rated 9 percent very short, 39 percent short, 51 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.