Market Impact Weather

OMAHA (DTN) -- Scattered Argentina showers, and a beneficial trend for precipitation in Brazil, are the key weather items for the commodity trade's attention Friday.

THUNDERSTORMS FOR ARGENTINA

The DTN ag weather forecast calls for periodic showers and thunderstorms over Argentina's main row-crop area of Cordoba, Santa Fe and northern Buenos Aires. Rainfall would be favorable for developing crops. Periods of heat will form in between the storm occurrences. Heat stress should be limited, however, due to the benefit from rainfall. Southwest growing areas continue to trend drier and periodically hot.

MORE CENTRAL BRAZIL SHOWERS

Central Brazil remains in line for periods of rainfall along with seasonal temperatures. This combination is favorable for crops.

SOUTHERN BRAZIL STAYS FAVORABLE

In southern Brazil, continued showers in Rio Grande do Sul have ended any building concerns about moisture deficits for crops. Elsewhere, Parana and Mato Grosso do Sul have favorable growing conditions, with additional rainfall chances indicated in the five-day forecast.

MIDWEST STAYS COLD

The Midwest remains in the grip of a very cold and dry pattern through the first week of 2018. Transportation will be affected. Some damage to soft red winter wheat is also possible.

MORE COLD FOR NORTHERN PLAINS

In the Northern Plains, extreme Arctic cold will continue to stress livestock through the New Year's weekend. Snow may occur through a portion of the region, but overall will not be a major event. Winter wheat in areas with little snow cover may incur damage. This is the coldest in the region in the past several years.

COLD THREAT FOR PLAINS WHEAT

Harsh cold, with minimum temperatures dropping to well below zero Fahrenheit, is in store for northern and central areas of the Southern Plains this coming weekend. This has the potential to cause damage to unprotected winter wheat, especially in southern Nebraska and north-central Kansas, but possibly becoming more widespread. Snow cover is minimal in the region, which increases the potential for damage.

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

(ES/)

Copyright 2017 DTN/The Progressive Farmer. All rights reserved.