November 22, 2010
US winter wheat, Argentine soy expect dry weather
Dry weather is predicted across the US Southern Plains this week with wide swings in temperature that will affect the winter wheat crop's growth, a forecaster said Monday (Nov 22).
"With little or no precipitation in the forecast during the next 10 days, there will be additional stress on the winter wheat crop especially in the dry areas of western Kansas, eastern Colorado and southwest Nebraska. Further declines in crop ratings can be expected," said an analyst.
The USDA will revise its weekly crop progress report at 2000 GMT.
According to the USDA in the previous week, 46% of the winter wheat crop ranged from good to excellent; the worst winter wheat rating for mid-November since 2001. Wheat watchers hope that conditions would improve before early December so that the crop is in better situation to prevail against the harsh US winter.
In the southern Midwest and northern Delta, moderate-to-heavy rain will recharge soil moisture and there is high likelihood that crop ratings would improve.
The soy and corn producing areas of Argentina are also encountering dry weather because of the La Nina weather pattern. However, there are no immediate crop concerns.
"A turn to drier weather bears watching as La Nina conditions often produce some drought conditions in the major growing areas. At this point temperatures are not hot enough to indicate significant stress on crops," said the analyst.
Little rains in Argentina's agricultural belt hindered farmers' progress in planting 2010/11 soy in the previous week, the Agriculture Ministry said.
Weather forecasters say rains were below average in numerous farming areas in October; the first sign that the La Nina weather phenomenon is affecting the South American nation.
