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Drought persists in hard red winter wheat: A storm that moved through the Great Plains last week did little to alleviate a 3-month drought in the top bread wheat states Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Today’s winter wheat story on Crop Projections will take a closer look at worsening prospects in the bread basket.
Crop ratings set to decline: Updated crop ratings for early February are expected to show a sharp deterioration in the condition of the crop compared with a month ago. Stressful warm and dry conditions will prevail again this week.
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Cold in the East: Below-normal temperatures are still hanging on this week in the eastern third of the United States keeping energy usage elevated in heavily populated areas of the Great Lakes and Northeast. Strong warming is predicted in the Great Plains and western Corn Belt.
Western Europe getting welcome rain: Winter wheat and rapeseed growing areas in the United Kingdom, France and Germany are expecting .5 to 1.25 inches of rain this week that is needed to relieve drought. Conditions have been dry ever since crops were planted last fall. Some growing areas in Germany, northern France and Netherlands have received less than 50% of normal rainfall since October 1st. while much of northern France and England received 60-75% of normal precipitation. Exceptional cool winter weather has prevented much growth from occurring.
Mato Grosso dry in January: Soybeans came under moisture stress in the Center West area of Mato Grosso, Brazil’s leading soy state, where January rainfall ranged from 65-80% of normal. Compared with January, 2008, conditions have been much drier. One to 3 inches of rain last week produced temporary relief from dryness, but more moisture will be required in February to optimize yields. This will be a key period for soybeans, since pod filling is when yields are being determined.
South Brazil expecting soaking rain: Parana and Rio Grande do Sul are expected to get a good soaking rain later this week. Moisture is needed to bolster soy development heading into the critical pod filling period. Minimal rainfall has occurred in the recent 12 days, drawing down field moisture, and hotter temperature in the 90’s (ºF) have developed in the past week. There is only a 30-50% chance for showers the next few days, but by Friday the rain chances improve to 70-80% by Friday. Two to 3 inches of rain is predicted in recurring thunderstorms.
Argentina soybeans receiving rain: Strong thunderstorms rumbled through Cordoba overnight producing more beneficial rain in soybeans. Last week rainfall varied from .8 to 1.5, inches in Santa Fe, Cordoba and Buenos Aires, but coverage was scattered leaving many farms dry. Severe drought since November 1st has depleted ground moisture, so very heavy rain will be needed for improvement in soybeans. A weak area of low pressure will be present in the grain belt this week, keeping shower chances alive.
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