Latest News From Precipitation

The U.S. Drought Monitor shows drought coverage is now at its lowest level since spring of 2020, but USDA's topsoil moisture map shows it's still extremely dry in areas of the west and too wet in the east.

The shift to El Nino brings several changes to the upcoming winter.

The National Drought Mitigation Center estimates 67% of corn and 60% of soybeans are still considered to be in drought, a slight improvement from last week when drought covered 70% of corn and 63% of soybeans.

Last week, 34% of the U.S. corn crop was covered in drought, and this week it jumped to 45%. The second crop conditions ratings of the season from USDA-NASS confirmed dryness is starting to deteriorate crop conditions.

After consecutive years of drought, areas of Texas are now breaking records for the wettest May ever. With most of their crop left to plant, it's also forcing tough decisions about silage, as wheat is ready for harvest.

Farmers in the Southern Plains are finally starting to see much-needed moisture hit their fields. It may be too late for winter wheat, but it’s a hopeful sign for those needing the rain to even plant summer crops.

Dry conditions spurred by La Nina weighed on areas of the Corn Belt in 2022. As La Nina fades, and El Nino starts to make a return, meteorologists say the weather shift could also signal better crop production in 2023.

According to the National Weather Service, farmers in the Midwest and eastern U.S. can expect above-normal precipitation in March, April and May. The Southwest and West are expected to see below-normal precipitation.

With the excessively wet planting conditions much of the Midwest is now experiencing, many producers are looking for “Plan B” to meet forage needs for their livestock.

The timing of the rains can make it difficult for producers that are trying hard to put quality hay in the bale for next winter’s feed supply.

Due to the cold harsh winter, recent heavy rains, and snow melt, livestock producers should keep a close watch on manure storage structures and pumping equipment.

Many people in different locations are expected to see rain or snow as another working week wraps up around the country. AgDay Meteorologist Mike Hoffman has your latest forecast here.

Warm-season grasses are plentiful in hay producing areas, but the rain that helped improve growing conditions following an extended period of drought is hurting their chances for more round bales.

Despite a wild fall, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expects a warmer-than-normal winter for the western two-thirds of the U.S. They don’t expect any areas with cooler-than-normal conditions.

The worst thing you can do is to rush when equipment gets stuck. It only takes seconds for things to go horribly wrong.

The dog days of summer seem to be in the rearview mirror. As lower-than-recent temperatures fall across the Corn Belt and south, farmers are likely wondering just how long this will last.

As the northern stretches of the U.S. are dealing with one of the coldest April on record, planters are slowly starting to unfreeze.

Get ready California, here comes the Pineapple Express and it’s expected to bring plenty of rain and snow.

Tiny particles fuel powerful storms and influence weather much more than has been appreciated, according to a study in the Jan. 26 issue of the journal, Science.