The Smithian

More than 70% of the Midwest was in some stage of drought this week, up from 63% last week, according to the report by climate experts. Half of the Midwest, which produces about 75% of the country’s corn and soybean crop, was in severe to exceptional drought, up from about a third last week. More than half of Iowa, the country’s top corn- and soybean-growing state, was in severe drought this week, a marked increase from 13% the previous week. About 64% of Kansas was in extreme to exceptional drought, up from 28% the week before.

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