Market Impact Weather

OMAHA (DTN) -- More harvest delays in the western Midwest, and dry conditions for central Brazil through the next week, are the key weather items for the commodity trade's attention Friday.

MORE MIDWEST RAIN

The DTN ag weather forecast calls for moderate to heavy rain to cover much of the western Midwest during the end of the week and through the first part of the weekend. The rain will further disrupt harvest. Western Midwest producers face at least a two-week delay in harvest, the slowest pace in almost 10 years. Eastern Midwest areas have light to moderate rain indicated. The rain will benefit soil moisture and may improve water levels in the Mississippi and Ohio Valley river systems for barge traffic.

CONTINUED SOUTHERN PLAINS SHOWERS

In the Southern Plains, additional showers and thunderstorms are occurring at the end of the week. Rain benefits soil moisture but hinders winter wheat planting. Another round of showers is on tap for early next week.

HEAVY RAIN FOR SOUTHEAST

Heavy rain and strong winds associated with hurricane or tropical storm Nate are expected to fall in Mississippi and Alabama during the weekend. There is also the potential for moderate to locally heavy rain to develop in the Delta. Delays to fieldwork appear likely.

FAVORABLE NORTHERN PLAINS TREND

In the Northern Plains, drier conditions at the end of the week and through the weekend will be favorable for harvest.

WEEKEND DRY PATTERN IN BRAZIL

Central Brazil remains dry going into the weekend. This offers improvement for planting progress after recent rainfall was beneficial for soil moisture. Soybean planting is much slower than a year ago, when Brazil soybean production set a new record.

WET ARGENTINA CONDITIONS

Producers in some areas of central Argentina are dealing with the reportedly wettest September in more than 40 years. This heavy rain situation is leading to concern that corn acreage may be reduced due to wet soils. A mostly dry pattern is forecast through the weekend, which may offer some improvement in field conditions.

DRY IN UKRAINE

Late summer and early fall dryness remains of much concern in south and east Ukraine and southwest Russia. Dryness favors planting progress for winter wheat but rain is needed to ensure favorable germination and early development prior to winter dormancy. Harvest reports show lower sunflower yields than a year ago due to dry conditions.

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

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