Spencer, IA: (Jan 03, 2012) - The latest Drought Monitor Map indicates drought conditions eased slightly last week, due mostly to storms in the U.S. Southeast. The contiguous U.S. was 61.1 percent in some level of drought, down slightly from one week ago.

The Midwest is mostly unchanged, still 55 percent in some level of drought.

DTN Senior Ag Meteorologist Bryce Anderson says the western Midwest will remain dry. He says the next chance for significant precipitation doesn’t come until the second half of next week.
He says the pattern favors transportation of livestock and grain, but doesn’t allow for any improvement in soil moisture.