Drought holds its grip as growers pivot to wheat

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The worst U.S. drought in decades is showing little signs of easing as farmers close out their corn harvests and pivot toward growing winter wheat that's also now struggling in the dry conditions.  The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor update released today shows that more than roughly 62 percent of the land in the lower 48 states is experiencing some degree of drought.  

The federal government says farmers have harvested 87 percent of the nation's corn crop and 80 percent of its soybeans. Farmers had planted 81 percent of their winter wheat crop as of Monday. Only half of the crop has emerged, 7 percentage points lower than average.