Market Impact Weather

OMAHA (DTN) -- Rainy and cool conditions across the Midwest, and deepening drought in the Southern Plains, are the key weather items for the commodity trade's attention Thursday.

CHILLY AND WET IN MIDWEST

The DTN ag weather forecast calls for a continued wet and cool trend in the Midwest to delay spring row-crop fieldwork. Early corn planting in southern sectors will be stymied by this pattern.

DROUGHT INTENSIFIES IN SOUTHERN PLAINS

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor assessment shows an expansion of exceptional drought through the entire Oklahoma Panhandle and into southwestern Kansas. The southwestern Plains winter wheat areas have no significant precipitation expected during the next 10 days in most major wheat areas. Crop ratings remain poor in many areas.

DELTA DELAYS

In the Delta, saturated soils along with heavy rains over the next several days will disrupt field work. Corn planting progress is running ahead of average, but this progress is likely to level out in the next week due to the rain influence.

SNOW FOR NORTHERN PLAINS

In the Northern Plains, North Dakota is expected to see snow with melted precipitation of 0.25 to 0.50 inch centered on Friday. The crop area will benefit from the added moisture, but the snow will lead to transport delays and will be unfavorable for livestock.

DRY AGAIN IN ARGENTINA

In central Argentina, there is no meaningful rain in the forecast. Losses to late-filling corn and soybeans continue due to drought.

CONSISTENT BRAZIL SHOWERS

Showers remain a consistent feature of the Brazil pattern and the forecast through the end of the month. The rain is favorable in central Brazil for soil moisture for developing second-crop (safrinha) corn. Meanwhile, rain is causing some disruptions to the soybean harvest in Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil.

Bryce Anderson can be reached at bryce.anderson@dtn.com

Follow Bryce Anderson on Twitter @BAndersonDTN

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