3 Top Corn-Growing States Report Extreme Drought, or Worse

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor maps published May 29, three of the top 18 corn-growing states reported D3 extreme drought conditions, or worse. Here’s a closer look at the moisture situation and the challenges it is creating for crops in Texas, Nebraska, and North Dakota.

Texas

Latest Drought Ratings

D4 exceptional drought is persistent in west Texas and covers more than 14% of the state. That’s a slight improvement from the week prior, but dramatically worse than the start of 2025. In the first report of the year, less than 7% of the state reported exceptional drought conditions.

D3 extreme drought covers more than 8% of the state.

D2 severe drought spans more than 7% of Texas.

D1 moderate drought covers more than 9% of the state.

Nearly 10% of the state reported abnormally dry conditions.

About 51% of the state did not report moisture stress.

Recent Weather

Between May 19 and 25 rainfall varied widely across the state. “Rainfall ranged from trace amounts up to 8 inches, with the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers districts receiving the most rain,” said the National Agricultural Statistics Service Southern Pains Regional Field Office.

Statewide, there was an average of 6 days suitable for fieldwork.

Soil Moisture Levels

The Crop Progress report for the week ending May 25 indicated Texas topsoil moisture was 19% very short, 25% short, 48% adequate, and 8% surplus.

In the same report Texas subsoil moisture was rated 17% very short, 26% short, 50% adequate, and 7% surplus.

Crop Progress

Pasture and range conditions varied dramatically across Texas. Some parts of the state reported needing more rain to improve conditions. USDA rated 9% very poor, 26% poor, 22% fair, 35% good, and 8% excellent.

Nebraska

Latest Drought Ratings

The entire state of Nebraska is facing moisture stress to some degree despite recent precipitation.

While the area shrunk dramatically since May 20, the latest Drought Monitor maps show nearly 4% of Nebraska is still suffering from D3 extreme drought.

D2 severe drought spans almost 41% of the state.

D1 moderate drought covers another 46% of Nebraska.

More than 9% of the state reported abnormally dry conditions.

Recent Weather

Agronomist Travis Gustafson explained the “complete flip” in weather the state has experienced during the month of May. “We have switched from overly dry conditions to finally getting adequate rains for the crop,” he said. “Corn was starting to show signs of stress prior to the May 18 rain events. Most of the state has received around an inch of rain or more in places which has brought great relief to our 2025 crop.”

USDA said there were 4 days suitable for field work in Nebraska the week ended May 25.

Soil Moisture Levels

The Crop Progress report indicated Nebraska topsoil moisture levels were 17% very short, 33% short, 48% adequate, and 2% surplus.

In the same report Nebraska subsoil moisture was rated 27% very short, 41% short, 32% adequate. There was no surplus of subsoil moisture reported.

Crop Progress

Nebraska corn condition was rated 1% very poor, 2% poor, 27% fair, 58% good, and 12% excellent the week ended May 25. “Most corn is in the 2-3 leaf growth stage,” Gustafson said on May 23.

USDA rated Nebraska soybean condition 3% poor, 25% fair, 64% good, and 8% excellent. There were no soybeans rated very poor. “Most of the soybean crop in the state is emerging nicely and mostly in the first trifoliate growth stage,” Gustafson noted.

Winter wheat condition rated 27% very poor, 26% poor, 28% fair, 18% good, and 1% excellent.

Oats condition rated 3% very poor, 7% poor, 55% fair, 33% good, and 2% excellent.

Pasture and range conditions rated 20% very poor, 31% poor, 32% fair, and 17% good. There was no excellent rated pasture.

North Dakota

Latest Drought Ratings

Drought conditions in North Dakota are relatively unchanged, according to the latest Drought Monitor maps.

D3 extreme drought persists in the western part of the state. These conditions cover more than 2% of North Dakota.

D2 severe drought spans more than 10% of the state.

D1 moderate drought covers another 15% of Nebraska.

More than 30% of the state reported abnormally dry conditions.

Soil Moisture Levels

The Crop Progress Report indicated North Dakota topsoil moisture levels were 2% very short, 13% short, 74% adequate, and 11% surplus.

In the same report North Dakota subsoil moisture was rated 3% very short, 18% short, 72% adequate, and 7% surplus.

Crop Progress

North Dakota corn condition was rated 5% very poor, 9% poor, 38% fair, 46% good, and 2% excellent.

Spring wheat condition in North Dakota was rated 5% very poor, 21% poor, 37% fair, 36% good, and 1% excellent. 

USDA rated winter wheat condition in the state 9% very poor, 18% poor, 31% fair, 41% good, and 1% excellent.

North Dakota oat condition rated 0% very poor, 2% poor, 55% fair, 40% good, and 3% excellent.

Barley condition rated 4% very poor, 10% poor, 31% fair, 54% good, and 1% excellent, according to USDA.

Pasture and range conditions rated 3% very poor, 13% poor, 33% fair, 46% good, and 5% excellent.

Stock water supplies in North Dakota rated 5% very short, 18% short, 70% adequate, and 7% surplus.