Six of the top 18 corn-growing states face moderate drought or worse

As corn emerged near 100% in the top 18 corn-growing states, according to the USDA Crop Progress report for the week ending June 9, drought conditions across the majority of the nation’s corn-growing states are minimal, with only six states experiencing D1 moderate drought or worse. 

Texas is the only corn-growing state experiencing D3 extreme drought. Kansas and Colorado are experiencing D2 severe drought conditions. North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska are dealing with D1 moderate drought across some of their acres.

Texas

Texas is facing the worst drought conditions of the top 18 corn-growing states, according to the latest drought monitor map released June 13. D3 extreme drought conditions are impacting 2% of the state’s acres. Ten percent of Texas is in D2 severe drought; 16% is in D1 moderate drought; 19% is abnormally dry; and the remaining 52% is free from drought stress. 

Despite drought conditions impacting nearly half the state, according to the USDA Crop Progress report for Texas for the week ending June 9, scattered thunderstorms have been bringing up to 8 inches of rain in the northeastern part of the state. 

Soil moisture conditions varied widely across the state, with some districts reporting no topsoil or subsoil moisture surpluses, while other districts reported up to 67% subsoil moisture surpluses. Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies were 10% very short; 30% short; 46% adequate; and 14% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were similar, with 15% very short; 26% short; 44% adequate; and 15% surplus. 

The corn crop in Texas reached the dough stage, with 10% of corn doughed for the week ending June 9. This is up 3% from the previous year and 7% ahead of the five-year average. The state’s corn condition was rated 3% poor; 13% very poor; 27% fair; 45% good; and 12% excellent.

Kansas

Drought conditions continue to impact Kansas farmers, with 9% of the state in D2 severe drought, according to the June 13 drought monitor map. Twenty-four percent of Kansas is in D1 moderate drought; 24% is abnormally dry; and the remaining 43% of the state is drought free.

Although drought conditions have challenged Kansas farmers, the state’s corn crop was rated predominantly good/excellent, according to the USDA Crop Progress report for the week ending June 9. Corn in Kansas was 1% very poor; 4% poor; 30% fair; 57% good; and 8% excellent. Corn emergence reached 60%, which was behind last year at this time by 12 percentage points, but ahead of the five-year average by 7 points. 

Similar to the corn crop, despite the drought conditions in Kansas, the state’s soil moisture supplies were mostly adequate. Topsoil moisture supplies were 10% very short; 17% short; 61% adequate; and 12% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were 13% very short; 25% short; 55% adequate; and 7% surplus. 

Colorado

In Colorado, drought conditions decreased slightly from the previous week. Less than 1% of the state is in D2 severe drought; 13% is in D1 moderate drought; 24% is abnormally dry; and the remaining 62% is free from drought stress.

According to the USDA Crop Progress report for Colorado for the week ending June 9, the state experienced “above average temperatures and stormy conditions” from June 2–9. Rainfall ranged from none up to 3 inches across the state. In some areas, severe storms brought large hail and damaging winds, with some hail damage on crops and rangeland being reported from counties in eastern Colorado. 

Soil moisture supplies were reported favorable, with the majority of the state’s soil moisture rated adequate. Topsoil moisture supplies were 2% very short; 24% short; 66% adequate; and 8% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were similar, with 3% very short; 27% short; 63% adequate; and 7% surplus.

Although severe storms impacted Colorado farmers, the state’s corn crop reached 64% emerged, USDA reported. This is 2 percentage points behind the previous year, and 13 points behind the five-year average. Colorado’s corn crop was in predominantly good condition, with 3% very poor; 5% poor; 22% fair; 63% good; and 7% excellent.

Other states

Drought conditions in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska were the next worst across the top corn-growing states, with each state reporting at least 1% D1 moderate drought. 

In North Dakota, 2% of the state was in D1 moderate drought; 6% was abnormally dry; and the remaining 92% was drought free.

Conditions in South Dakota were also 2% in D1 moderate drought. Eleven percent of South Dakota was abnormally dry, and the remaining 87% was free from drought stress.

In Nebraska, the latest drought monitor map shows 1% of the state in D1 moderate drought; 20% abnormally dry; and the remaining 79% of the state free from drought stress. 

Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin all reported some level of abnormally dry drought conditions.

Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Ohio, and Tennessee, are all free from drought stress.