Western Drought Continues To Intensify

Despite an overall decline in drought conditions across the continental United States over the past month, drought conditions intensified across much of the west.

"As we move in to the month of June we continue to see at least two thirds coverage of the two highest drought areas D3 to D4 or extreme to exceptional drought in a number of western states including California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico," noted USDA Meteorologist, Brad Rippey. "We saw short term drought intensify in the Northwest that did have an impact on agriculture including rangeland and pastures, winter wheat, and spring sewn small grains like barley and spring wheat.  So we saw deteriorating crop conditions as you move in to the interior Northwest during the month of May."

Rippey also noted concerns along a strip of the Northern corn belt and the Eastern seaboard.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia.com