December 19, 2006

European wheat winterkill threat limited

Europe is forecast to see near to above normal temperatures for the next three months, which will limit winterkill concerns for the winter grain crop, according to an outlook released by Earth Satellite's Cropcast Monday.

Winter wheat and barley is seeded in the fall for harvest in the spring. Last season winterkill trimmed crop production in parts of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

However, this year Cropcast forecasts that region to see near to above normal snows and mild temperatures to keep winter grains well-protected.

"Rains are expected to be near to above normal in the South and east, which would improve moisture supplies for previously dry wheat areas," said Cropcast.

However the outlook added that while a strip of below normal moisture from northern France and Germany into Scandinavia is not an immediate concern, it could "set the stage for summer crops issues in France."