Drought Monitor shows uptick in percent of U.S. in drought

The May 26th drought monitor shows 77.2% of the U.S. is experiencing abnormal dryness or drought, up 1.1% from the previous week, with 60.8% in D1 level drought or higher, up 1.6%.Currently 25% (unchanged) of corn acres are in D1-D4 drought with 27% (unchanged) of soybean acres, and 69% (down 1%) of winter wheat acres also impacted. For livestock, 60% (down 3%) of the U.S.cattle herd is in D1-D4 drought conditions with 33% (unchanged) of dairy cattle also in drought.

Rainfall was plentiful in the southern U.S. and eastern U.S. last week, with the heaviest totals concentrated in the inland South and mid-Atlantic coastal regions. The eastern corn belt also received plentiful rains, as did the drought stricken areas of north Texas. Cooler weather gave way to above average temperatures in the northern Plains at mid-week, with areas receiving spotty rains in Nebraska and the Dakotas.

The National Weather Service 7-day forecast expects weather patterns to favor continued rain in the southern U.S., though the heaviest totals will shift further south and east toward the coastal regions. Cooler temperatures should return to the corn belt as well.

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