The extreme heat wave continues to contribute to lower topsoil moisture condition ratings. (Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey)

USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey, covers some of the states experiencing very short-to-short topsoil moisture conditions for the week ending July 17.

USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey, discusses the very few states in the lower 48 that have double-digit topsoil moisture surplus for the period ending July 17th.

Corn growers in many parts of Europe are suffering through a perfect storm of record heat and dryness, all hitting the crop when it's most susceptible to heat damage. (Gary Crawford and USDA meteorologist, Eric Luebehusen)

The nation, as a whole, is reporting a week-over-week decline in pasture and rangeland conditions driven in part by extreme heat in the Southern half of the country. (Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey)

USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey, points to a handful of state driving the nationwide deterioration of pasture and rangeland conditions.

USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey, discusses improvements in pasture and rangeland conditions in the nation's Northern tier from one year ago.

Beef cattle markets are anxiously awaiting USDA's upcoming report on cattle inventories. (Gary Crawford. USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer. USDA Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski)