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Drought concerns return to Iowa, Nebraska

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Many Midwest farmers are beginning to worry that last year's drought could return.

The concern is inching closer to reality for a large part of the corn growing region as many states have experienced only spotty rain, with some areas far too dry.

The National Drought Monitor released Thursday says abnormally dry conditions have spread eastward farther into southern Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Portions of Nebraska including the southeast that had May rain are now drying out again.

Corn is in the pollination stage, which determines how much grain it will produce, and needs moisture now to fully develop.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press