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Drought area of U.S. expands

Areas that needed moisture the most have not been getting it. According to the USDA’s drought monitor late last week, the area of drought in the U.S. expanded some.  As of last Thursday, 61.8 percent of the country was in drought, up from 61.7 percent the week before. And, the areas of exceptional drought expanded.

There was essentially no change in the drought areas for cattle, hay and wheat. USDA meteorologist Mark Brusberg says, “Crop areas affected by drought really remained unchanged. The percent of the hay in drought stayed the same at 64%. Cattle in drought was 73%. And, winter wheat in drought was 63%. Really, there was no change in that. That sort of reinforces the fact that the areas that really need the rain have not been getting the rain.”

It remains to be seen whether the recent snows in areas of the Corn Belt will make a difference in soil moisture.