(KNSI) — The dry spell across the Upper Midwest has now driven some areas of Minnesota into moderate drought.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows all of Benton, Sherburne and a large portion of Stearns Counties in the D1, or moderate drought areas. According to the National Weather Service Twin Cities, the latest observed precipitation map from the last seven days shows less than an inch of rain in central Minnesota. On the other hand, spots in western Stearns County have received three to four inches of rain, which is still considered abnormally dry.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says for row crops, 10% of the nation’s barley areas, 39% of soybean production areas, and 45% of corn production areas are affected by drought. For livestock, 40% of the cattle inventory, 39% of the hog inventory, 24% of the milk cow inventory and 21% of the sheep inventory in the country are affected by drought. The alfalfa hay acreage is in 25% drought.
The Drought Monitor focuses on broad-scale conditions.
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