Precipitation amounts across western Wisconsin averaged a half to 1.5 inches during the month of November. The drought conditions showed some improvement during the first half of the month with Clark, Jackson, La Crosse and Monroe Counties no longer classified as being in a severe drought. Conditions also temporarily improved over portions of Taylor and Trempealeau Counties, but by the end of the month, the severe drought covered the northern half of both counties along with all of Buffalo County. Dairy farmers were impacted by the drought during the latter half of the year because of higher feed costs. Milk production increased during the first part of the year leading to lower milk prices. Milk priced remained low over the latter half of the year, which combined with higher feed costs, caused the milk price to feed cost margin to drop to just above $1 per hundredweight after being between $7 and $9 at this time in 2011. The USDA announced that the harvest price payout for crop insurance would be $7.50 per bushel for corn and $15.39 per bushel for soybeans while the non-harvest price payout would be $5.68 per bushel for corn and $12.55 per bushel for soybeans. Hay and roughage supplies heading into the winter were affected by the drought. 50% of the reports made to the USDA showed short supplies of hay and roughage. The USDA also indicated that soil moisture conditions were short or in very short supply across 50% of the state.

Drought in TREMPEALEAU, WISCONSIN
From 01-NOV-12 00:00:00 to 30-NOV-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Precipitation amounts across Trempealeau County averaged three quarters of an inch to an inch during November. This was enough precipitation for some improvements in the drought to occur. By the end of the month, the northern half of the county remained in the severe drought while the southern half of the county was no longer considered to be in the severe drought. Affects of the drought include river flows less than 20 percent of normal and deeper than normal ground water levels.

Drought in CRAWFORD, WISCONSIN
From 01-NOV-12 00:00:00 to 13-NOV-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Precipitation amounts in November averaged 1.25 to 1.5 inches across Crawford County. This was enough precipitation to improve the soil moisture conditions and end the severe drought classification.

Drought in LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
From 01-NOV-12 00:00:00 to 13-NOV-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Precipitation amounts across La Crosse County averaged 1 to 1.25 inches during November. This was enough precipitation to improve the soil moisture conditions and end the severe drought classification.

Drought in BUFFALO, WISCONSIN
From 01-NOV-12 00:00:00 to 30-NOV-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Precipitation amounts in November averaged a half to three quarters of an inch. This was not enough for any change in the drought conditions to occur and the entire county remained classified as in a severe drought. Affects of the drought include river flows less than 20 percent of normal on the Mississippi River and deeper than normal ground water levels.

Drought in GRANT, WISCONSIN
From 01-NOV-12 00:00:00 to 30-NOV-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Precipitation amounts during November averaged 1 to 1.25 inches across Grant County. This was enough precipitation for some improvement in the drought conditions to occur. By the end of the month, only the far southern portion of the county remained in a severe drought. River flows continued to be less than 20 percent of normal on the Mississippi River along with deeper than normal ground water levels.

Drought in TAYLOR, WISCONSIN
From 01-NOV-12 00:00:00 to 30-NOV-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Precipitation amounts across Taylor County averaged 1 to 1.25 inches during November. The severe drought classification shifted from the southern half of the county at the beginning of the month to the northern half by the end of the month. Affects of the drought include river flows less than 20 percent of normal and deeper than normal ground water levels.

Drought in CLARK, WISCONSIN
From 01-NOV-12 00:00:00 to 13-NOV-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Precipitation amounts across Clark County averaged 0.75 to 1.25 inches during November. This was enough precipitation to improve the soil moisture conditions and end the severe drought classification.

Drought in JACKSON, WISCONSIN
From 01-NOV-12 00:00:00 to 13-NOV-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Precipitation amounts across Jackson County averaged 0.75 to 1.5 inches during November. This was enough precipitation to improve the soil moisture conditions and end the severe drought classification.

Drought in MONROE, WISCONSIN
From 01-NOV-12 00:00:00 to 13-NOV-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Precipitation amounts across Monroe County averaged 1 to 1.5 inches during November. This was enough precipitation to improve the soil moisture conditions and end the severe drought classification.