US Drought Monitor
Weekly drought conditions for US crop regions. Select national, state, or regional views. Published every Thursday by the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, and NOAA.
US · National View
| Crop | Critical Period | Drought Risk | What's at Stake |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌽 Corn | Late July – August | D1+ = High risk | Pollination failure; grain fill stunted. D2 during silking can cut yield 25–40%. |
| 🌽 Corn | June (early growth) | D2+ = Moderate risk | Root development impaired; plants stress before they can show it. |
| 🫘 Soybeans | Late July – September | D1+ = High risk | Pod set and seed fill — most water-sensitive stage. Yield loss compounds quickly. |
| 🌾 Winter Wheat | Fall establishment & spring green-up | D1+ = Moderate risk | Poor tiller development; winter kill risk increases on shallow soils. |
| 🌿 Hay / Pasture | May – August | D0+ = Risk begins | First cutting reduced; recovery slows. Supplemental feed costs escalate at D2. |
📅 Release Schedule
Published every Thursday by 8:30 AM ET. The map reflects conditions through the preceding Tuesday. AGSIST links directly to the official NDMC map with no delay or editorial delay.
🏛 Crop Insurance Triggers
D2 status affects Pasture/Range/Forage (PRF), Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP), and the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP). Typically requires D2 or above for 8+ consecutive weeks. Contact your Farmers First agent if conditions persist.
🗺 WI & MN Watch Zones
Northwest Wisconsin and southwest Minnesota face elevated drought frequency. Central WI sand counties drain fast and show drought stress first. Watch D1+ conditions in late June — they rarely self-correct without meaningful rain in 10 days.
💧 Basis Impact
Regional D2+ drought tightens local basis as elevators anticipate reduced receipts. Watch basis move in real time on the Cash Bids page. A drought rally in futures often means basis simultaneously weakens — track both.