The latest in a string of bad news for Wisconsin agri-business, a report released Thursday revealed nearly 90 percent of the state is still experiencing crippling drought.
Only eight counties, all in northwestern Wisconsin, are not experiencing a severe lack of rainfall, according to the national group Drought Impact Reporter. The southernmost areas of the state are suffering the most.
Farmers have been struggling with the weather conditions all year, according to a Wisconsin Crop Progress report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Tuesday. The report showed 39 percent of the state’s corn crop is in “poor” or “very poor” condition, 25 percent is in “fair” shape, 29 percent is “good” and seven percent “excellent.”
The report also shows twenty-seven percent of the soybean crop is in “poor” or “very poor” condition, 33 percent is in “fair” shape, 32 percent “good,” and eight percent “excellent.” Grapes are the only crop having a good season.
Nationally, drought is affecting 77.5 percent of the contiguous 48 states, with Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska hit the hardest.
