Soil moisture conditions in the Plains, Midwest and Southeast remained favorable for crops after storms there during the week ended Tuesday, but western states remain parched, according to Thursday’s US Drought Monitor from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service.
In Texas, seven-day rainfall accumulations ranged from 2 to 10+ inches leading to significant improvement in drought-related conditions across the state. Likewise, areas of northeastern Colorado and portions of the central Plains received much-needed rainfall of two- to four-inch accumulations leading to improvements on the Drought Monitor map.
Out West, 83% of the region currently is in moderate-to-exceptional drought with the most severe conditions centered on the Four Corners states, California and Nevada. In California, conditions deteriorated on this week’s map in response to a combination of factors including back-to-back dry water years, above-normal temperatures, below-normal snowpack and other drought effects.
MIDWEST ABNORMALLY DRY
Monday’s crop progress report showed the nation’s corn planting was ahead of normal pace, but none of the Midwestern Corn Belt states reported excessive topsoil moisture. This corresponds to the Drought Monitor map, which shows these states to be abnormally dry in most counties.
On this week’s map, some minor improvements were made in areas of moderate drought and abnormally dry conditions in portions of Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin, where areas of isolated heavy rainfall (two to three inches) were observed this week.
Elsewhere in the region, mounting precipitation deficits of two to four or more inches during the past 60 days led to an expansion of areas of moderate drought in northern Illinois, as well as new areas of abnormally dry conditions in southern Iowa and northwestern Missouri where conditions have been dry over the past 30 days.
Very dry soils, compared with historical averages for the date were observed in northeastern Illinois in Boone, DeKalb, Kane and McHenry counties. Average temperatures for the week were above normal by 2 to 12 or more degrees Fahrenheit across the region with the greatest departures observed in northern Illinois, eastern Iowa, northern Missouri and southern Wisconsin.
HIGH PLAINS MOISTURE IMPROVES
Areas of the region, including Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming, saw improvements, including a reduction in areas of severe drought in southwestern Nebraska and northwestern Kansas as well as in areas of moderate drought in northeastern Colorado and southeastern Wyoming.
In northeastern Colorado, two to four or more inches of rain fell during the past week, providing a boost in soil moisture conditions for crops.
Areas of extreme drought expanded in northern South Dakota and southern North Dakota. The South Dakota State Extension and the North Dakota State Climate Office are both reporting drought-related conditions, including poor water quality for livestock and dry stock ponds.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
Fed cattle traded this week at $117 to $119 per cwt on a live basis, down $1 from last week. Dressed-basis trading was seen at $188 to $190 per cwt, down $1 to $3.
The USDA choice cutout Thursday was up $1.59 per cwt at $306.37, while select was up $3.18 at $289.36. The choice/select spread narrowed to $17.01 from $18.60 with 81 loads of fabricated product and 18 loads of trimmings and grinds sold into the spot market.
The USDA reported Thursday that basis bids for corn from livestock feeding operations in the Southern Plains were unchanged at $1.04 to $1.18 a bushel over the May CBOT futures contract, which settled at $7.59 1/2 a bushel, up $0.06 1/4.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index for the seven days ended Wednesday was $131.56 per cwt down $0.21. This compares with Thursday’s May contract settlement of $130.47 per cwt, down $1.00.