Market Impact Weather

OMAHA (DTN)-- Heat and dryness in the western Midwest, and crop-threatening heat and drought in the central and southern Plains, are the key weather items for the commodity trade's attention Thursday.

Hot And Dry In Western Midwest

The DTN ag weather forecast calls for continued wide variance in rainfall. Limited rainfall and above-normal temperatures over most of the western Midwest will increase stress to corn and soybeans, especially pollinating corn. Some crop losses can be expected. Northeastern Iowa and southern Minnesota should experience beneficial rainfall and more moderate temperatures. Mostly adequate to surplus soil moisture for crops remain in effect in the eastern Midwest. Hot temperatures will increase stress to reproductive crops over central and south Illinois and south Indiana during the next few days. Temperatures moderate for a time after that, easing stress to reproductive crops.

Stressful Heat In Southern Plains

In the Southern Plains, hot to very high temperatures and only isolated shower activity increase stress to reproductive crops during the next few days. Scattered showers and cooler temperatures should ease stress to crops for a time early in the 6-10-day period but additional episodes of heat are likely after that.

Limited Rain Over Northern Plains

Northern Plains areas had limited rain Wednesday. Light to locally moderate activity was noted in southwestern and southern North Dakota along with northern and northeastern South Dakota. Episodes of hot weather and limited rainfall continue to significantly stress crops. Major losses to spring wheat have already occurred, and corn losses are being tallied as well.

More Southern Prairies Dryness

In the Canadian Prairies, dryness remains of much concern in an area centered on southwest and central Saskatchewan. Showers during the next five days are expected to occur mostly north and east of this area.

Warm And Dry Ukraine Forecast

Mostly above-normal temperatures with little rainfall are forecast for eastern Ukraine through southern Russia during the next week. Soil moisture is currently adequate in the area but will be dropping due to this weather pattern and the high moisture needs of crops. Scattered showers develop in western Ukraine growing areas, especially later in this period.

Rain Targets China Corn Area

In northeastern China, rainfall Wednesday and Thursday is more active for key corn areas than in the primary soybean belt in Heilongjiang province. Prior rains should support favorable develop of crops in or near reproduction through central and east areas while stress to crops remains high in the western areas where it is drier and where it trends toward hotter temperatures.

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

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