The Northern Plains continue to have very dry conditions. Over the last month the region has progressively worsened to D4 or exceptional on the drought monitor. Last week, it was estimated that as much as 30 percent of the High Plains region (North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado and Kansas) is experiencing moderate (D1) to exceptional (D4) drought, and nearly 10 percent is in the extreme (D3) to exceptional (D4) drought categories. Montana has also been greatly impacted, and as much as 50 percent of the state is experiencing moderate (D1) to exceptional (D4) drought, and almost 25 percent in extreme (D3) to exceptional (D4) drought categories.  

Not only are these drought conditions impacting corn, soybean, and spring wheat conditions, this intensity is also reflected in the pasture and range conditions released weekly by the Agriculture Department’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Over 50 percent of the pasture and range is in critical conditions, rating poor and very poor, in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.  

Market Intel update (August 01, 2017)