The increasing temperatures and lack of rainfall is taking a toll on soil conditions.
USDA Meteorologist, Brad Rippey, provides an update on topsoil moisture.
“We actually saw net drying in the nation’s agricultural areas. Topsoil moisture in those areas now rated 58% very short to short. That is a large six point increase from the previous week’s 52%,” says Rippey. “In terms of topsoil moisture surplus, only 2% of the country. That is actually down a point from the previous week.”
Hurricane Idalia brought some needed rain to the lower Southeast. South Carolina leads that region with 20% of topsoil in a surplus of moisture. Georgia follows behind with 17% and Florida with 14%. Surprisingly the West took on some flooding last week, leaving Nevada with 15% surplus moisture.
It’s a different story for other parts of farm country. Seven states in the Rockies and the Plains are in dire need of water. The Lone Star state leads the area with 95% of topsoil moisture rated very short to short.
