Spring wheat acres impacted by drought continue to rise

The August 4^th drought monitor shows 70.9% of the U.S. is experiencing abnormal dryness or drought, up 3% from the previous week, with 48.5% in D1 level drought or higher, up 0.6%.Currently 28% (down 1%) of corn acres are in D1-D4 drought with 26% (unchanged) of soybean acres, and 58% (up 16%) of spring wheat acres also impacted. Spring wheat saw another week of drought uptick, and is now up 39% from this time last month. For livestock, 49% (up 1%) of the U.S.cattle herd is in D1-D4 drought conditions with 34% (down 2%) of dairy cattle also in drought.

Dryness in the Dakotas continues to drive most of the increases in crops impacted by drought. Most rainfall was focused in the eastern half of the U.S. last week, with the heaviest amounts on the Atlantic coast. Areas such as North Carolina have been dealing with longer-term drought and still face moisture deficits despite last weeks weather.

The National Weather Service 7-day forecast expects rain to be lighter in the coming week. Rainfall chances are still present in the eastern U.S., though totals are noticeably lighter. Temperatures are expected to be slightly above normal for most of the central and southern U.S. as well.

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