Drought Disaster Declared in 26 States

Half of the U.S. declared agricultural disaster area due to worsening drought

Drought conditions have sparked disaster declarations in more than 1,300 counties (1,016 primary, 278 contiguous) across the country, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported.

U.S. drought has been intensified by the driest June in history and triple-digit temperatures on 10 out of 11 days recently.

• As of last week, Moderate to Extreme drought conditions prevailed in 52.56 percent of the Midwest, and 68.39 percent of the South. Moderate to Exceptional drought conditions covered 73.87% of High Plains, 64.15% of the West and 35.46% of the Southeast.

• The declaration covers 26 states across the country: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wyoming and Hawaii.

Map of U.S. counties declared as agricultural disaster areas.

In addition to the 1,016 primary disaster areas, 278 other counties have been designated as contiguous disaster areas (see map above).

[NOTE: There are 3,033 organized county or county-equivalent governments in the U.S. Source:   U.S. Department of Commerce –Census Bureau]

U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook (July 5 to September 30, 2012)

Corn Conditions

Thirty percent of the corn in the 18 states that produce most of the U.S. crop is now  in poor or very poor condition, up from 22% last week, USDA reported.

• The amount of corn considered to be in excellent or good condition has dropped to 40 percent this week down from 48 percent last week.

• Sixty percent or more of the crop has been rated poor to very poor in Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee.

Corn Condition – Selected States: Week Ending July 8, 2012. The 18 states planted 92% of 2011 acreage. Source: Crop Progress – Released July 9, 2012, by NASS/USDA.

For details of corn and soybean condition see Third of U.S. Corn in Poor or V. Poor Condition Posted on July 11, 2012

• Kansas. A list of 82 Kansas counties that will be declared disaster areas is posted HERE.

Links to Recent Related Entries

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