The 2012 drought-the worst this country has seen in decades-is now becoming the 2013 drought. In fact, 47 percent of the continental U.S.-including a good portion of the nation's breadbasket-remains in some stage of drought, compared to roughly 37 percent a year ago, according to the April 30, 2013 U.S. Drought Monitor. In other words, many growers are starting off 2013 in worse shape than they were at the start of 2012.
Seventy-seven percent of the state of Nebraska is experiencing "extreme" drought or worse. Additionally, nearly every county in the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming are either abnormally dry or in some level of drought.
SOURCE: National Crop Insurance Services