The majority of farmland in the U.S. is battling dry conditions.
Barley production areas in the northern High Plains are 73% in drought; 90% of sorghum acreage is experiencing drought, and spring wheat is still doing better this year compared to last, but 46% is still in drought. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey says the situation is much brighter as you move into the heart of the Midwest.
“In terms of corn production area in drought, 31% is the current number, soybeans is 21%. Even those areas experiencing drought tend to be the lower levels of drought, your D1 or D2.”
Rippey says it is a different situation in the Great Plains and the western U.S.. More than half of U.S. cattle inventory is in drought conditions, as well as a lot of hay production areas.
Related:
No Drought Relief in Sight for South Dakota
Drought Monitor: No Relief in Sight for Western U.S. Farmers
U.S. Dairy Farmers Worried About Drought Levels
USDA is providing payments to livestock producers impacted by drought or wildfire