NEBRASKA- Compared with its neighboring states plagued by drought, Nebraska has fared well — so far, anyway. But that could change with the heat wave set to hit the state this week. And that could potentially affect Nebraska’s crops.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, parts of North and South Dakota, Colorado and Wyoming are dealing with extreme drought conditions.

According to Bloomberg News, in North Dakota, where the entire state is in a drought, hay crops are only 10% to 25% of normal, while cattle ranchers already are reducing herds by boosting animal sales at auction, Jeff Schafer, president of the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, said during a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration webinar.

In Nebraska, severe drought has crept over the South Dakota border into parts of five counties in the northeast corner of the state. Pockets of moderate drought have been recorded in central and southern Nebraska and the Panhandle, according to the Drought Monitor.

Mark Svoboda, director of the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said almost 22% of the state is experiencing some form of drought. The counties experiencing severe drought make up just about 2% of the state.

“In Nebraska, we’re holding the drought at bay right now,” he said. “But our fear is that these droughts can intensify very quickly.”

Right now, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the condition of Nebraska’s crops is quite strong.

A report from Monday shows that 76% of the 9.7 million acres of corn planted are in good or excellent condition. Ditto for the 5.4 million acres of soybeans planted, with 82% of that crop considered in good or excellent condition.

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