The latest drought monitor maps were released Thursday, May 20, depicting conditions as of May 18. While some states saw small improvements or no change, other areas of the Midwest reported growing and intensifying drought. IOWA Iowa’s drought maps were unchanged from the week prior. About 8% of the state remains in severe drought. This area spans about 12 counties in the northwestern corner of the state. Overall, about 64% of the state reported suffering from abnormally dry conditions, or worse.

The May 24 Crop Progress Report indicated that Iowa topsoil moisture levels are rated 3% very short, 15% short, 71% adequate, and 11% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 11% very short, 29% short, 54% adequate, and 6% surplus. The Crop Progress Report indicated 97% of the state’s corn crop is planted and 75% has emerged. Soybean planting is 89% complete and 53% of the crop has emerged in Iowa. “A notable shift in the weather brought warmer and wetter conditions across much of Iowa last week as many farmers wrapped up planting. Cooler temperatures have led to emergence issues in some areas, but warmer weather forecasted for this week should really push the crop along,” explained Iowa secretary of agriculture Mike Naig on Monday. ILLINOIS Drought in northeastern Illinois intensified to severe and covered about 3% of the state, according to the May 20 report. Abnormally dry conditions are present across the northern region and in several areas on the east side of the state. Western Illinois didn’t report moisture stress. Overall, about 27% of the state reported suffering from abnormally dry conditions, or worse.

The Crop Progress Report indicated 90% of the state’s corn crop is planted and 74% has emerged. Soybean planting is 80% complete and 60% of the crop has emerged in Illinois. NEBRASKA Precipitation over the last 10 days relieved some drought stress in several parts of Nebraska. Moderate drought dropped from 22% of the state to about 16%. Still, 45% of the state reported suffering from abnormally dry conditions, or worse.

The May 24 Crop Progress Report indicated that Nebraska topsoil moisture levels are rated 2% very short, 15% short, 80% adequate, and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 5% very short, 23% short, 70% adequate, and 2% surplus. The Crop Progress Report indicated 95% of the state’s corn crop is planted and 62­­% has emerged. Soybean planting is 85% complete and 44% of the crop has emerged in Nebraska. INDIANA There was little change in the Indiana drought map in the latest report. Less than 1% of the state reported moderate drought conditions. About 21% of the state reported suffering from abnormally dry conditions.

The May 24 Crop Progress Report indicated that Indiana topsoil moisture levels are rated 3% very short, 16% short, 76% adequate, and 5% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 4% very short, 16% short, 75% adequate, and 5% surplus. The Crop Progress Report indicated that 82% of the state’s corn crop is planted and 55­­% has emerged. Soybean planting is 69% complete and 41% of the crop has emerged in Indiana. MINNESOTA In Minnesota drought grew and intensified. Two counties in the northwest corner of the state reported severe drought. Moderate drought spanned 21% of the state. Overall, about 55% of the state reported suffering from abnormally dry conditions, or worse.

The May 24 Crop Progress Report indicated that Minnesota topsoil moisture levels are rated 5% very short, 27% short, 66% adequate, and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 8% very short, 28% short, 62% adequate, and 2% surplus. The Crop Progress Report indicated 98% of the state’s corn crop is planted and 77­­% has emerged. Soybean planting is 97% complete, and 49% of the crop has emerged in Minnesota. Source - https://www.agriculture.com