June 8, Ag Professional – (National) Drought dominates Corn Belt in La Nina’s wake.
La Nina may be gone, but the persistent drought that plagued Texas in 2011 has now slowly expanded to other areas of the United States, Ag Professional reported June 8. A map of the country’s midsection is now highlighted with a bright yellow in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest Drought Monitor, posing as a warning of a potential drought that could soon be tightening its grip on the region. Colorado, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas are the latest to be covered by an overwhelming majority of land rated as abnormally dry to moderate drought. In the High Plains, less than 30 percent of the area is free from any drought or dryness, primarily in the Dakotas and Nebraska. A snow drought has turned into an extreme drought for areas of northwestern Colorado, and 100 percent of the State is in some state of abnormal dryness or drought. To the east, about 60 percent of Kansas is considered to be in a drought, compared to 32 percent the week of May 28. Long-term outlooks suggest little relief for most areas. In the Seasonal Drought Outlook, the drought is expected to persist or intensify over many areas to the west of the Mississippi River. Experts are also anticipating the drought to persist in Arkansas and Missouri, as well as parts of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama.
Source: http://www.agprofessional.com/news/Drought-dominates-Corn-Belt-in-La- Ninas-wake-157897875.html
12. June 8, TheFencePost.com – (Nebraska) Hay production hindered by drought.
Hay production was in full swing in Nebraska, and the issue facing operators from across the State is the same: drought, TheFencePost.com reported June 8. Lack of moisture and an early, warm spring left many producers with decreased yields and an outlook that depicts a continued decrease in production. Nebraska is one of the top 10 alfalfa producing States, and much of the hay that is produced is used within the State to feed cattle. The first cutting is well ahead of schedule, with some producers already nearing a second cutting. The lack of moisture is expected to continue to hinder production throughout the rest of the season.
Source:
http://www.thefencepost.com/article/20120608/NEWS/120609956/1032&ParentProfile =1001