Heat & storms on parts of Plains, another dry day across the Midwest Corn Belt

Across the Corn Belt, dry weather prevails, except in westernmost corn and soybean production areas from the Dakotas southward.  By June 18, topsoil moisture was rated more than one-half very short to short in all Midwestern States, except Ohio and North Dakota, led by Michigan (89%) and Illinois (87%).  On the same date, Michigan also led the U.S. in very poor to poor ratings for corn (28%) and soybeans (32%). 

On the Plains, record-breaking heat across much of Texas and portions of neighboring states is severely stressing summer crops entering reproduction. 

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