ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota farmers are right to be remain concerned about the lack of rain, the U.S. Agriculture Department reported. Ten percent of topsoil moisture is very short, 36% short of moisture. This is while corn is starting to silk pretty much on schedule.  Evaluations by crop:

Corn: 61% percent in good to excellent condition.

Soybeans: 64% percent good to excellent.

Barley: 65% good to excellent.

Oats:  48% good to excellent condition.

Yellow: Abnormally dry

Pale orange: Moderate drought

Deep orange: Severe drought

Drought monitoring. Southeast Minnesota measuring as a moderate drought area on June 17. An exception: The even drier southeast-most townships of Houston County. Image: U.S. Agriculture Department