Commodities Market Impact Weather

OMAHA (DTN) -- A mainly dry and very cold outlook for the Northern Plains, a chance to get more harvesting done in some western and northern areas of the Midwest, favorable crop conditions for Brazil, and dryness concerns in Argentina are the key weather items for the commodity trade's attention Wednesday.

VARIABLE MIDWEST TEMPERATURES

The DTN Ag Weather forecast for the Midwest calls for a highly variable temperature pattern during the next five to six days. Precipitation chances are mainly in the southeast to east-central Midwest, and this will disrupt the remaining harvest. Drier weather last week should have allowed some harvesting to occur. Low temperatures moving into the area do not appear to be low enough in the east and south Midwest to harm the soft red winter wheat crop at this time.

EXTREME COLD IN NORTHERN PLAINS

The Northern Plains has episodes of cold and very cold conditions during the next five days that will increase stress to livestock. However, no significant snow is expected during this period. Cold weather will limit potential fieldwork. Longer-range forecasts are highly uncertain.

POSSIBLE WEEKEND PRECIPITATION FOR SOUTHERN PLAINS

In the Southern Plains, dryness is of increased concern through southwest and central growing areas. There is some chance for light precipitation Saturday into Sunday, but aside from that, drier weather continues. There is somewhat better moisture for the south-central and southeast areas. There are no significant cold weather threats for either winter wheat or livestock in feedlots of the southwest and central Plains at this time.

SCATTERED SHOWERS FOR BRAZIL

Brazil crop areas has scattered showers redevelop through the southern growing areas this coming weekend. This should maintain favorable conditions for planting and developing crops. West-central Brazil is under a near-daily chance for showers, which is not that unusual for this time of the year. However, it does increase the risk for soybean rust issues.

COOLER WEATHER AHEAD FOR ARGENTINA

Argentina's recent high temperatures, in the 90s and 100s Fahrenheit, has further depleted soil moisture for developing crops. The region is likely to be hot for one more day before the heat wave breaks. The cold front is not expected to bring any significant rainfall with it. The cold front might stall over the northern areas for a time. This may allow better rains in northern Cordoba, north and possibly central Santa Fe this weekend. However, the very dry areas of La Pampa, Buenos Aires and southern Cordoba are not likely to see much rain during the next seven days, possibly or likely longer than that.

Elaine Shein can be reached at elaine.shein@dtn.com

(CZ)

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