Drought Worsens Across US, Threatening Agriculture Industry

More than 60% of the continental United States has been under moderate drought or worse conditions since April 7, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The nation as a whole has experienced a dry, warm period that began in early autumn 2025 and has persisted into recent weeks, says Brad Rippey, a meteorologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Farms in the Midwest have been particularly hard hit, with up to 44% of this year's winter wheat crop rated as very poor to poor, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).