The most intense drought to hit the U.S. Midwest farm belt since 2012 deepened over the past week, sapping soil moisture and threatening crop yield potential in the heaviest corn and soybean production areas of the United States.
But a series of rain storms forecast over the next two weeks in the southern and central Midwest could help stabilize or improve crop conditions that have been eroding for weeks and recharge soil moisture just ahead of the corn crop's critical pollination period in late July.
However, drought conditions worsened in the heaviest crop production areas of the Midwest over the past week. Weekly drought Monitor data showed 65% of the region in moderate drought or worse as of June 27, up from 58% a week earlier and the broadest area since 2012. "Right now about 45% of the corn and soy belt is where the main concerns are, and it's right through the heart of the belt." said Joe Woznicki, meteorologist at Commodity Weather Group.
"After the next two weeks, the main portions of the belt that are going to remain too dry would be southeast Minnesota, Wisconsin, northeast Iowa, Michigan and Missouri, or about a quarter of the belt," Woznicki said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Did Pat Sajak Predict Ryan Seacrest Would Replace Him Back in 2012?The longtime 'Wheel of Fortune' host announced his retirement earlier this month.
Read more »
Yankees' Domingo Germán throws perfect game vs. A's; first across MLB since 2012Domingo Germán of the New York Yankees pitched the 24th perfect game in MLB history.
Read more »
Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán throws first perfect game since 2012, 24th in MLB historyNew York Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán pitched the MLB's 24th perfect game Wednesday night as they topped the A's in Oakland 11-0. It was the first perfect game since 2012.
Read more »
Yankees pitcher throws MLB's first perfect game since 2012New York Yankees pitcher Domingo German threw a perfect game on Wednesday, the 24th perfect game in MLB history and the first since 2012. The special accomplishment came in the team's 11-0 win against the Oakland Athletics.
Read more »
Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán throws perfect game against OaklandDomingo Germán of the New York Yankees pitches the 24th perfect game in major league history, retiring every Oakland batter in an 11-0 victory over the Athletics.
Read more »