Drought Threatens U.S. Agriculture, Midwest Winter Wheat at Risk
The U.S. agriculture industry is facing significant challenges as drought conditions persist across more than 60% of the continental United States, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The dry spell, which began in autumn 2025, has severely impacted winter wheat crops in the Midwest, particularly in the Great Plains region stretching from Montana to Texas. Nebraska has been hit hardest, with 82% of its winter wheat rated as very poor to poor. Other states, including Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas, are also reporting high rates of poor crop conditions. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects a 32% abandonment rate for winter wheat this year, a level not seen since the Dust Bowl era. Additionally, the cattle industry is struggling due to deteriorating rangeland and pasture conditions. Reservoirs in the West, such as Lake Mead and Lake Powell, are at record-low levels, further exacerbating water shortages for farms. 
