Expanding drought

The Midwest saw rains this week in some much-needed areas and some not needed areas. It’s been a spotty season in the heart of the United States as areas such as Western Iowa are wet, in fact nearing too wet. But, to the south, much of northern Missouri is classified in an extreme drought, according to the latest Drought Monitor. Farmers in parts of Missouri are reporting estimated yield losses up to 70 percent for corn, and others are chopping corn for silage, normally a rare occurrence those areas of the state. Farmers report fields “look like September,” when asked about crop conditions in Northern Missouri. Further, with the expectation of the Gavins Point Dam water releases to reach 60,000 cubic feet per second next week, The Missouri River along Iowa and Nebraska into Missouri remains swollen, risking flood stages on a daily basis. Eastern Kansas remains dry, as well, with crops lacking much-needed moisture. The Western region of the U.S. has nearly all of its Southern states in a classified drought. And, much of Texas, parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, are in a classified drought, as well. 


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