The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows the drought is easing a bit in the eastern corn belt but intensifying in the west. As of August 14th the area in Exceptional and Extreme Drought decreased in Indiana, Illinois and Iowa while Wisconsin held steady as showers and cooler temperatures moved in.
On the other hand, Missouri saw the area in Exceptional Drought jump from 13.89 percent last week to 35.5 percent this week. All but six percent of Missouri is in at least Extreme Drought. Kansas saw a 25 percent increase in Exceptional Drought which now covers 63 percent of the state and nearly 90 percent is in at least Extreme Drought. Nebraska saw a 19-point increase in Exceptional Drought which now covers 22.5 percent of the state. 91 percent of the Cornhusker State is in at least Extreme Drought.
As of last week, USDA reports 87 percent of the nation’s corn crop, 85 percent of the soybeans, 63 percent of the hay crop and 72 percent of the cattle in the country are in drought areas. Over half of the corn and soybeans are in Extreme or Exceptional Drought.
See the latest Drought Monitor here:
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