Drought Intensifies in Midwest and South

Heat and little rain continue to intensify the drought in several states, including primary crop-growing areas.

The national drought monitor report released Thursday says in Iowa, the nation’s largest corn producer, severe drought spread to nearly 42 percent of the state, up from 32 percent a week ago.

The drought monitor tracks conditions from Sept. 3 through Tuesday morning.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says about a third of corn and soybeans in Iowa are in good or excellent condition, down from more than half rated in those categories a month ago. In Nebraska, where drought increased in some areas, non-irrigated corn is in similar shape.

Drought worsened in portions of Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin.

Further south, conditions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas declined.