North Dakota Drought Hits Corn and Soybean Yields

The state of North Dakota is facing a severe drought in July, which has affected crop yields. According to DTN Lead Analyst Rhett Montgomery, the heat has been the real problem, with July 2026 ranking among the top 10 hottest Julys on record for almost the entire state.

This has had a significant impact on corn and soybean crops, particularly during pollination and blooming periods. The DTN Digital Yield Tour corn yield estimate is only 0.5 bpa lower than one year ago, which is surprising given the challenging growing conditions in 2026.

Farmers such as Paul R. Anderson from Coleharbor have reported that this has been the worst growing season in 35 years. The heat and dryness have damaged crop stands, with some areas seeing no moisture from June 28 to July 29.

North Dakota State University Extension agents Jill Murphy and Josh Becker also report variable conditions across different regions. While some areas may see close to average yields, others will be well below average.