Field cracked and dry because of droughtDrought conditions in the Western U.S. have intensified according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report, with the driest conditions being reported in parts of the Rockies, Great Plains, Lower to Mid-Mississippi Valley, the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic States. Meanwhile in the Midwest, drought conditions lessened with a half an inch of precipitation across the Great Lakes, parts of Missouri toward the Mississippi and Ohio River connect. Due to the precipitation, extreme drought conditions were lessened enough to change categories to moderate to severe drought. However, abnormal dryness expanded in parts of Illinois, Missouri and southeast Iowa.

Read more on U.S. drought conditions here.