Widespread Rainfall Eases Drought in Midwest, Plains, South, and Desert Southwest but Raises New Crop Concerns
Recent rains have eased drought conditions across key U.S. farm regions, including the Midwest, High Plains, South, and Desert Southwest. Yet, for many corn and soybean producers, excess moisture and saturated soils are bringing fresh challenges.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor, dated July 29, 2025, reveals major improvements in drought-affected areas stretching from the Midwest to the Central and Northern Plains, as well as portions of the South and Desert Southwest. Precipitation totals ranged from 1 to 5 inches, with localized downpours especially in northern Missouri, eastern Iowa, southern Minnesota, central Illinois, and northern Indiana.
U.S. map showing drought intensity levels as of July 29, 2025.
States like Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio saw notable improvements. But the news isn't all good. According to Phil Krieg, agronomy service representative with Syngenta in Illinois, intense localized thunderstorms caused soils to become oversaturated.
"Saturated soils are causing plants to die in large areas - both corn and soybeans," Krieg explained.
In Wisconsin, Nick Groth from Syngenta reported excessive humidity: "Fields are staying wet well past noon, leading to widespread concern about disease development."
Map of the Midwest showing drought conditions as of July 29, 2025.
In Iowa, Wyffels Agronomy Manager Eric Wilson described yellowing soybean fields in low-lying areas and emerging nitrogen deficiency in corn during the critical grain-fill phase. "Heavy rainfall is starting to take a toll on corn and beans," he added.
Across the High Plains, improvements continued from Kansas to North Dakota with scattered light-to-moderate rainfall. Gains were recorded in northern Kansas, eastern Nebraska, southeastern and southwestern South Dakota, and southwestern North Dakota.
Yet, dry patterns returned to parts of the region. Travis Gustafson, agronomic rep in Nebraska, noted: "Irrigation has kicked into high gear, and the combination of sunlight and water will create good grain fill conditions." Meanwhile, central South Dakota and northern North Dakota saw worsening drought metrics.
In the West, dryness dominated much of the region, with only isolated rainfall in northeastern California, northwestern Nevada, eastern New Mexico, eastern Colorado, and Montana. The Drought Monitor showed worsening conditions in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado.
In the South, gains were observed in South Texas and the Trans Pecos region, credited to above-average precipitation over the past 30-120 days. However, southwestern Oklahoma, northern Mississippi, and central Tennessee experienced drought degradation due to rainfall deficits in recent months.
While the easing of drought is welcome news for many growers, the side effects of heavy rain-including disease risks, nutrient leaching, and delayed fieldwork-underscore the volatility of this growing season. Crop consultants and ag cooperatives are now recalibrating management strategies for the second half of the summer.
