Market Impact Weather

OMAHA (DTN) -- Another rain chance for the Southern Plains and favorable conditions in central Brazil are the key weather items for the commodity trade's attention Friday.

FAVORABLE CONDITIONS FOR WESTERN MIDWEST, NORTHERN PLAINS

The DTN ag weather forecast calls for generally favorable conditions to continue 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 region gets very wet later this weekend or early next week. Weekend rains will also delay fieldwork in the eastern Midwest.

WEEKEND SHOWERS IN SOUTHERN PLAINS

In the Central and Southern Plains, a major rain event this week and the chance for most showers during the weekend and early next week will favor developing wheat while causing some delay to seasonal, early spring, fieldwork. A drier, warmer period later next week would promote development of crops and improve fieldwork conditions.

PRECIPITATION FOR CANADA'S PRAIRIES

In the Canadian Prairies, Manitoba and southern Alberta may see up to 0.25 inch of precipitation during the weekend before turning drier again. Above-normal temperatures will continue to melt snow cover over eastern areas. Flood risk remains high and could be very severe in parts of Manitoba and southeast Saskatchewan if heavy rains develop or if a rapid snow melt continues.

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. La Pampa may experience more rain during the weekend before finally turning drier.

DRIER PERIOD AHEAD FOR EUROPE

In France and Germany, generous rains during March have helped ease concerns for crops that are well ahead of normal development. Not much rain is forecast during the next 10 days. It is very warm now, but should turn cooler during the coming days.

SHORT-TERM DRYNESS IN UKRAINE

Winter wheat in east Ukraine, west and south Russia is reported to be in good to excellent condition at this time. Crop development is running at up to four weeks ahead of normal. Short-term dryness is of some concern for wheat areas of south and west Ukraine (25% to 50% of normal past 60 days).

HOT INDIA PATTERN

Wintertime showers and lower temperatures have 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. Maize is late-filling to maturing at this time.

DEBBIE THREATENS AUSTRALIA AG

Moderate to heavy rains have moved into key sorghum and cotton areas of Australia during the past 48 hours. Sorghum and cotton are being harvested this time of year. Damage to these crops appears likely. Severe damage is possible in some locations. Rainfall rates dropped off sharply to the southwest part of the major growing belt.

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

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