Wheat drought area increases slightly

The amount of winter wheat considered in drought conditions increased one point to 69% for the week that ended Feb. 1, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. USDA said winter wheat drought was 27% “moderate,” 22% “severe,” 18% “extreme,” and 2% “exceptional.”  Last week, USDA said winter wheat drought was 25% “moderate,” 23% “severe,” 18% “extreme,” and 2% “exceptional.”  

Dry/drought conditions continue to get worse in HRW area. Kansas had a three-point increase in the area considered abnormally dry/drought to 89%. Texas decreased the area considered abnormally dry/drought to 93%, a three-point drop. Nebraska had a two-point increase in the area to 92%. The amount of land classified as abnormally dry/drought in Oklahoma (96%), Montana (92%), Colorado (100%) and South Dakota (78%) was unchanged.

In the SRW area, Illinois had a seven-point increase in land considered abnormally dry/drought to 33%. The area classified as abnormally dry/drought in Michigan increased by 18 points to 44%. Missouri had 45% of its area considered abnormally dry/drought, up five points. North Carolina had a seven-point increase to 67% of its area considered abnormally dry/drought. Ohio (0%), Indiana (0%), Arkansas (43%) had the same percentage of areas considered abnormally dry/drought as the previous week.