Market Impact Weather

OMAHA (DTN) -- Improved moisture in the Southern Plains, favorable conditions in central Brazil, and flooding concerns in southern Argentina are the key weather items for the commodity trade's attention Thursday.

FAVORABLE CONDITIONS FOR WESTERN MIDWEST, NORTHERN PLAINS

The DTN ag weather forecast calls for generally favorable conditions for the upcoming spring planting season for the western Midwest and Northern Plains.

FIELDWORK DELAYS IN EASTERN MIDWEST, DELTA

For the eastern Midwest and Delta regions, there are favorable conditions for developing winter wheat. Corn planting is underway in the Delta states. Fieldwork in the Delta will slow and halt as the regions gets very wet later this weekend or early next week. Rains this week will also delay fieldwork in the eastern Midwest.

IMPROVED SOIL MOISTURE IN SOUTHERN PLAINS

In the Central and Southern Plains, moderate to very heavy rain during the past 48 hours will favor developing wheat and end any dryness concerns that may have been building during the late-winter/early spring period. Local fields may experience problems due to flooding and severe weather, but the benefits from the rain will outweigh any damage due to severe weather. Rainfall totals for the system average 1.75 to 2.50 inches and locally heavier through most of the key wheat areas of Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas and 0.50 to 1 inch in wheat areas of Colorado and south Nebraska.

FAVORABLE PRAIRIES DRY PATTERN

In the Canadian Prairies, no significant precipitation is expected during the next five days. This is favorable for field drying in wetter areas.

FAVORABLE BRAZIL CONDITIONS

Conditions are favorable for developing second-crop corn in central Brazil, and also for maturing and harvesting soybeans in southern Brazil. Dryness at this time may be somewhat unfavorable for late-filling soybeans in Rio Grande Do Sul.

HEAVY RAINS IN SOUTHERN ARGENTINA

In Argentina, favorable conditions for late-filling and maturing corn and soybeans are in effect in the major growing areas. However, wet weather during the next five to six days or so may be unfavorable for maturing crops. Very heavy rains, 5 to 10 inches, in La Pampa has likely caused severe flooding in minor growing areas.

PROMISING EUROPE CONDITIONS

Across Europe, generous rains during March have helped ease concerns for crops that are well ahead of normal development.

EARLY UKRAINE SPRING

Recent warm weather has melted much, if not all, of the protective snow cover and even lead to some greening of crops in some sectors of Ukraine and Russia. The crop would be more vulnerable if it turns to colder conditions.

HOT INDIA PATTERN

Wintertime showers and lower temperatures has likely favored winter crops across Pakistan and north India. A turn to drier, hotter weather more recently should favor maturing winter crops, but may be somewhat unfavorable for late-developing crops.

WARM SOUTH AFRICA TREND

In South Africa, crops will benefit from a warmer period with only scattered showers, after prior heavy rains hit the region.

DEBBIE THREATENS AUSTRALIA AG

Moderate to heavy rains have moved into key sorghum and cotton areas of Australia during the past 24 hours. Rain lingers today before drier weather develops Friday. Sorghum and cotton are being harvested this time of year. Damage to these crops appears likely. Severe damage is possible in some locations.

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

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