Which corn-growing state has the worst drought conditions?

Here’s a look at drought conditions across the top 18 corn-growing states as February 2024 comes to an end.

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Published on February 29, 2024

Map of drought conditions, shown in yellow, orange, and red, across the United States as of February 27, 2024 — Photo:
U.S. Drought Monitor

Here’s a look at drought conditions across the top 18 corn growing states as February 2024 comes to an end. Data is based in the U.S. Drought Monitor maps published Feb. 29, 2024 and USDA’s Crop Progress — State Stories published Feb. 27, 2024.

Drought categories are indicated on maps below as follows:

D3 extreme drought - Red
D2 severe drought - Dark orange
D1 moderate drought - Light orange
D0 abnormally dry - Yellow
None - White

D3 extreme drought

Iowa

Nearly 19% of Iowa is in D3 extreme drought, unchanged from the week prior. More than 37% of the state reported D2 severe drought conditions. Another 23% of the state is in D1 moderate drought. Less than 1% of the state is free of moisture stress.

Overall, February was drier than usual and much warmer than average. The lack of moisture continues to be a concern for the State’s farm operators as they contemplate the 2024 crop year, reported USDA.

Texas

Almost 2% of Texas is in D3 extreme drought. Another 7% of the state reported D2 severe drought.

For the month of February, precipitation ranged from trace amounts to upwards of 5 inches, with East Texas, South Central, the Upper Coast, and the Lower Valley districts receiving the most, said USDA.

Minnesota

Less than 1% of Minnesota faces D3 extreme drought. D2 severe drought conditions are present across more than 12% of the state. Less than 1% of Minnesota is free of moisture stress.

Above average temperatures continued in February with little to no precipitation, reported USDA.

D2 severe drought

Wisconsin

Over 17% of Wisconsin is in D2 severe drought. Just 9% of the state is free of moisture stress.

The state averaged 0.40 inch of precipitation throughout the month of February, 0.47 inch below normal, said USDA. One storm left around six inches of snow cover, however, most of the snow melted quickly due to warmer than average temperatures.

Nebraska

More than 12% of Nebraska is in D2 severe drought.

For the week ending Feb. 25, topsoil moisture supplies rated 7% very short, 30% short, 61% adequate, and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 10% very short, 41% short, 48% adequate, and 1% surplus.

North Dakota

Almost 7% of North Dakota reported D2 severe drought, unchanged from the week prior. Just 13% of the state, in the southwestern region, is free of moisture stress.

For the week ending Feb. 25, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 14% very short, 36% short, 48% adequate, 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 14% very short, 36% short, 48% adequate, 2% surplus.

Tennessee

About 6% of Tennessee is in D2 severe drought.

For the week ending Feb. 25, Tennessee topsoil moisture was rated 4% short, 76% adequate, 20% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1% very short, 7% short, 78% adequate, 14% surplus.

Colorado

About 4% of Colorado reported D2 severe drought conditions, unchanged from the week prior.

Statewide, topsoil moisture condition rated 5% very short, 17% short, 65% adequate, and 13% adequate. Subsoil moisture was rated 8% very short, 19% short, 61% adequate, and 12% excellent.

“Snow events brought above average moisture conditions across the eastern portion of the State, while western counties and the high country primarily experienced below average moisture throughout the month of February,” said the USDA report.

As of Feb. 26, snowpack in Colorado was 94% measured as percent of median snowfall.

Michigan

Over 3% of Michigan is in D2 severe drought. The driest areas include the northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula.

Only 4% of the state, the southern-most tier of counties, is free of moisture stress.

USDA recently rated Michigan topsoil moisture 1% very short, 12% short, 66% adequate and 21% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 2% very short, 17% short, 63% adequate, and 18% surplus.

Kansas

More than 2% of Kansas reported D2 severe drought conditions, unchanged from the previous week.

For the week ending Feb. 25, topsoil moisture supplies rated 4% very short, 26% short, 67% adequate, 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 8% very short, 33% short, 57% adequate, 2% surplus.

D1 moderate drought

Missouri

Just shy of 34% of Missouri is in D1 moderate drought, up from 19% the week before.

For the week ending Feb. 25, topsoil moisture was rated 3% very short, 24% short, 73% adequate, and 0% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 11% very short, 27% short, 62% adequate, and 0% surplus.

North Carolina

Nearly 9% of North Carolina is in D1 moderate drought, a jump from 0% the week prior.

For the month of February USDA rated topsoil moisture supplies 2% very short, 9% short, 86% adequate and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 6% short, 92% adequate and 2% surplus.

Illinois

About 8% of Illinois is in D1 moderate drought. A majority of the state reported abnormally dry conditions in the U.S. Drought Monitor released Feb. 29, 2024.

Topsoil moisture supply was rated 3% very short, 26% short, 69% adequate, and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 10% very short, 21% short, 67% adequate, and 2% surplus.

South Dakota

Nearly 5% of South Dakota, primarily on the eastern and western edges of the state, reported D1 moderate drought conditions.

For the week ending Feb. 25, topsoil moisture supplies in South Dakota rated 5% very short, 24% short, 69% adequate, 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 5% very short, 29% short, 65% adequate, 1% surplus.

Abnormally dry

Indiana

Almost 28% of Indiana is abnormally dry, up from 24% the week prior.

Topsoil moisture for the month of February was 2% very short, 13% short, 67% adequate, and 18% surplus. Subsoil moisture for the month was 5% very short, 22% short, 64% adequate, and 9% surplus.

Ohio

About 12% of Ohio is abnormally dry, unchanged from the week prior.

Topsoil moisture for February was rated 0% very short, 4% short, 70% adequate, 26% surplus. Subsoil moisture for the month was 0% very short, 8% short, 83% adequate, 9% surplus.

Precipitation averaged 1.02 inches Statewide, 0.98 inch below normal for February.