China snowfall eases drought but affects wheat growth

Recent heavy snowfall in China major winter wheat areas helped ease drought, but may also affect crop growth, the Ministry of Agriculture said Thursday.

The snow, which arrived significantly earlier than usual, came with low temperatures that hindered the growth rate of the winter wheat, the ministry said in a statement published on its Web site.

Late-planted wheat output volume is also threatened, it said, while offering advice to farmers on methods of protecting the crop from the cold.