Market Impact Weather

OMAHA (DTN) -- Rains help second-crop corn but affect harvest in Brazil, Argentina's warmer, drier trend, and a drier period for the Midwest and Plains are the key weather items for the commodity trade's attention Wednesday.

NORTHERN PLAINS/WESTERN MIDWEST SNOW

The DTN ag weather forecast calls for snow and ice to affect travel and transport from the northwest to the north-central Midwest region. Conditions over the South Dakota/northern Nebraska area should improve with time following moderate to heavy snowfall overnight. No significant concerns after today.

RECENT MOISTURE HELPS SOUTHERN PLAINS

In the Southern Plains, the recent very significant precipitation event will recharge soil moisture, which will benefit the wheat crop in the spring when it breaks dormancy. There are no significant concerns for livestock in the feedlots at this time.

MIXED BRAZIL RAIN EFFECT

Scattered thunderstorms in central Brazil crop areas may improve the outlook for second-crop corn, but the rain will also delay the harvest of early soybeans and early corn. Mostly favorable conditions are in effect for crops in southern Brazil at this time.

ARGENTINA HEAT AND DRYNESS

In Argentina, an upper-level ridge in and near the region looks to promote below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures in the primary corn and soybean areas for another six to seven days. This will favor developing corn and soybeans in Cordoba, Santa Fe and northern Buenos Aires after recent heavy rains and flooding, at least for a while. Extreme heat that occurred in southern Buenos Aires and La Pampa early this weekend ended with a few strong storms later in the weekend. Another round of heat/dryness is expected at the end of this week and this weekend to Monday. This will maintain high stress and reduce crop yield prospects for La Pampa, west and south Buenos Aires. Longer-range charts show a possible breakdown in the ridge, which could mean more seasonal conditions.

DECREASING UKRAINE SNOW COVER

Subzero (Fahrenheit) cold weather was reported in winter wheat areas of Belarus and western Ukraine earlier this month, but it has warmed since then. Snow cover was of a light to locally moderate nature at the time of the coldest weather. This should have given some protection from the cold conditions. Since then, snow cover has improved further and the crop should be well-protected in the event of any new cold outbreaks.

COLD CONDITIONS IN EUROPE

In Europe, winter's cold weather is reported to have caused some problems for unprotected winter grains in and around the Hungary area. Very cold conditions, relative to normal, may have also affected specialty crops such as olives and citrus in the south Italy, Greece and east Mediterranean region. Temperatures remain below normal in many areas, well-below normal through southern Europe. However, it is not as cold as it was earlier this month.

BENEFICIAL SOUTH AFRICA RAINS

Crops in the maize and sugarcane region of South Africa will continue to benefit from periodic scattered thunderstorms and no lasting hot weather.

MOISTURE TO HELP INDIA

A significant rain event is expected to bring needed moisture to the winter wheat areas of Pakistan and India this week. This should supplement irrigation for the crop likely jointing to possibly at the early reproductive stage at this time and is considered highly favorable.

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

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