Most of central Minnesota has been added to the "abnormally dry" category, according to the latest map released today (Thursday) by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
A new report shows the drought gripping the United States is the widest since 1956. The monthly State of the Climate drought report released Monday by the National Climactic Data Center says 55 percent of the continental U.S. is in a moderate to extreme drought.
Sweltering temps and a lack of rain are leaving many states' corn crops withering away. Farms in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Missouri are part of nine states where up to half of the corn fields are rated as poor or very poor.
The drought is officially over for nearly all of Minnesota. The new map from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that only about 10 percent of Minnesota remains in drought.
Minnesota corn and soybean farmers are preparing to seed their fields, even as concerns mount over whether the unusually warm weather left enough moisture to yield a decent crop.
Because of a drought that's affecting nearly all of Minnesota, state officials are telling farmers it's time to consider crop insurance. The standard deadline is less than one month away. Farmers must finalize a plan with their insurance agent by March 15.