Recent Rain Across Midwest Alleviates Drought Conditions

The most current U.S. Drought Monitor shows 39% of the contiguous U.S. is experiencing moderate to exceptional drought as of April 22^nd, a four percent decrease from April 1^st. Figure 1 shows the area of the U.S. experiencing moderate to exceptional drought is up 20% compared to the same time last year, with more drought conditions occurring in the high plains, south, and west regions. 

Figure 1. U.S. Drought Monitor for Contiguous U.S.

Precipitation has alleviated drought conditions across the Midwest in recent weeks. The following figure shows only 11% of the Midwest is currently experiencing moderate to exceptional drought, which is down more than 19% from January 1^st, with 17% of that decline occurring since April 1^st (Figure 2). Over 23% of the Midwest is abnormally dry, but a forecast full of possible storms could alter that. In the Midwest, the area of land experiencing moderate to exceptional drought is 12% lower compared to this time in 2024.

Figure 2. U.S. Drought Monitor-Midwest

With the earliest corn and soybean planting dates to maintain full crop insurance coverage having already passed, many farmers have begun full-scale fieldwork. As of April 20^th, only three states have planted at least 10% of their corn acreage. Table 1 shows Missouri is the furthest along at 33%, followed by Iowa and Kentucky at 18% and 12% respectively. Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri are the only states in the Midwest that have planted at least 10% of their soybean acreage as of April 20^th. Early planting often coincides with spring rainfall, ensuring that seeds have adequate moisture and possibly pollinate before the intense summer heat, allowing for better root development and higher yield potential. Unless conditions turn extremely wet in the coming weeks, a large majority of corn and soybean farmers could be done planting by early May.

Table 1. Midwest Crop Acreage Planted as of April 20^th, 2025

Figure 3 shows that 13% of Iowa is experiencing moderate to exceptional drought and 59% is abnormally dry. From April 15^th to April 22^nd the percentage of land with drought conditions decreased by 16% due to heavy and consistent rainfall. Currently only13 of 99 counties in Iowa have areas of moderate drought with pockets in the northwest, southwest, and northeast regions. At this time last year, 58% of Iowa was under moderate to exceptional drought conditions, a considerable difference from this year.

Table 1 shows that Iowa corn and soybean farmers have got an early start on planting this year. At this time last year, Iowa farmers had planted 12%  of corn acreage and 7% of soybean acreage, down 6% and 4% compared to 2025. As of April 20^th, 69% of the topsoil moisture was considered as adequate and 61% of the subsoil moisture was considered as adequate.

Figure 3. U.S. Drought Monitor-Iowa

As shown in the following two figures (Figures 4 and 5) the most recent U.S. drought maps show that 26% of corn production areas and 21% of soybean production areas are experiencing drought. The only major crop growing areas of Iowa in drought are the areas under moderate drought.

Figure 4. Corn Areas in Drought

Figure 5. Soybean Areas in Drought