OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A nine-state Midwest and Plains economic survey index fell in May.

A survey report released Friday for the Mid-America Business Conditions Index says it dropped to 57.6 last month, compared with 60 in April.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says the businesses that were surveyed are still benefiting from healthy farm income and exports. But he says the growth "is softening as a result of the stronger dollar."

The survey uses a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Any score above 50 suggests growth while a score below 50 suggests decline for that factor.

The survey of business leaders and supply managers covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.