64% Of Lower 48 In Drought; 88% Of US Corn, 87% Of Soybean Crops In Drought Areas

[hatrack]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday said the drought gripping the country has expanded rapidly and appears likely to last through the summer. As of this Tuesday, the drought was covering 64 percent of the lower 48 states, making it the most widespread since 1956. Three months ago, the figure was 37 percent, and at the beginning of the year, 28 percent.

The situation in the Midwest is particularly bad, the department said, with 88 percent of the country's corn and 87 percent of the soybeans now in drought areas.

Both corn and soybean prices rose to record highs Friday, hitting $8.08 and $17.54 a bushel respectively, as crop shortfalls seem increasingly likely and drought conditions are forecast to remain throughout most of the Midwest.

Last week, the Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack announced a new rule simplifying the process for declaring disaster areas, which meant 1,055 counties could get expedited disaster status. This week, all of Missouri was declared a primary disaster area, enabling farmers here to apply for federal assistance. The total number of counties with disaster status stands at 1,297, in 29 states.

EDIT

http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/drought-hitting-midwest-hard-spreading-rapidly/article_fd0894de-d2ad-11e1-a524-0019bb30f31a.html

[emmadoggy]

1. K & R. The animation of the drought monitor

at the link provided is stunning to see.

This drought is really going to bring the hurt.