Lower portions of the state are in worse shape, with portions of Alabama’s southernmost counties in exceptional drought conditions.

State Agriculture Commissioner John McMillan on Thursday requested a review of drought conditions to start the process of declaring a federal drought emergency in Alabama.

“Right now, all counties in the southern tier of Alabama are suffering an extreme drought. Other counties will follow suit if our current low rainfall pattern persists. The next two weeks are critical,” McMillan said in a press release.

“This is especially frustrating for farmers in a year when commodity prices are at record highs.”

David Derrick, regional extension agent for the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, said the most severe drought areas are in south Alabama and south Georgia.

Portions of 32 Alabama counties are in the “abnormally dry” category as of June 28 on the U.S. Drought Monitor. Portions of 17 counties are included in the “moderate” drought range, while portions of 19 counties are in severe drought conditions. Portions of 16 counties also are classified as being in extreme or exceptional drought conditions.

A majority of the affected counties have more than one drought situation and are classified twice.

Derrick said most crops in the Etowah County area have responded well to recent rains, and that things are doing pretty well here.

The rain gauge at The Gadsden Times recorded 5.99 inches of rain in June, up from the 2.45 inches it measured during the same time last year.

Still, more rain will be needed to sustain crops through the summer months.

“We need rain for at least two more months on the crops,” Derrick said, adding that some farmers who have just planted soy beans will need rains to continue through September.

According to McMillan’s release, the U.S. Department of Agriculture condition reports for about a third of the state’s top crops range from “poor” to “very poor.” The report only rated 27 percent of crops “good” or “excellent.”

“Based on information from the U.S. Drought Monitor, crop acreage reports and other sources, I am recommending to Gov. (Robert) Bentley that certain counties be considered for a drought disaster declaration,” McMillan said.