Winter wheat drought continues to increase
The amount of winter wheat considered in drought conditions increased two points to 71% for the week that ended Feb. 8, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. USDA said winter wheat drought was 30% “moderate,” 24% “severe,” 17% “extreme,” and 2% “exceptional.” Last week, USDA said winter wheat drought was 27% “moderate,” 22% “severe,” 18% “extreme,” and 2% “exceptional.”
For the HRW area, Kansas had a three-point decrease in the area considered abnormally dry/drought to 86%. Texas decreased the area considered abnormally dry/drought to 88%, a five-point drop. Nebraska had a six-point increase in the area to 98%. Oklahoma reduced the area classified as abnormally dry/drought by four points to 92%. The amount of land classified as abnormally dry/drought in Montana (92%), Colorado (100%) and South Dakota (78%) remained the same.
In the SRW area, there were some improvements. Missouri had 34% of its area considered abnormally dry/drought, down 11 points. North Carolina had a 23-point drop to 43% of its area considered abnormally dry/drought. Forty-one percent of Arkansas is listed as abnormally dry/drought, down one point. However, the area classified as abnormally dry/drought in Michigan increased by 12 points to 56%. Illinois (33%), Ohio (0%), Indiana (0%) had the same percentage of areas considered abnormally dry/drought as the previous week.
