Market Impact Weather

OMAHA (DTN) -- Continued cold weather and periods of rain or snow in the Midwest, and additional drought stress in the Southern Plains, are the key weather items for the commodity trade's attention Thursday.

COLD HINDERS MIDWEST FIELDWORK

The DTN ag weather forecast calls for a cold and wet pattern to remain in effect in the Midwest through the next week. This pattern will keep spring fieldwork delayed. The 10- to 14-day forecast has milder weather indicated; however, additional rain chances are also featured, which will lead to further delays in spring fieldwork and early corn planting.

STRESSFUL NORTHERN PLAINS COLD

In the Northern Plains, very cold weather and periods of rain or snow have fieldwork at a standstill. This combination leads to the potential for a lower planted acreage total for spring wheat. In addition, cold and wet conditions are unfavorable for livestock.

CONTINUED SOUTHERN PLAINS DROUGHT

There is no significant precipitation expected in the Southern Plains during the next 10 days in most major wheat areas. Crop ratings remain poor in many areas. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor indicates extreme and exceptional drought areas growing in the southwestern Plains.

RAIN TO HINDER DELTA PROGRESS

In the Delta and Southeast, fieldwork and planting will have some delays over the next several days because of very low temperatures and periodic rain. Some freeze occurrence is also likely.

LATE-ARRIVING ARGENTINA RAIN

Central Argentina has a chance for additional significant rain at the end of this week or this weekend. However, rainfall coming this late in the season and following an extreme summer drought is unlikely to change row crop prospects. However, it may slow the decline in late-filling crops somewhat.

DRIER FOR SOUTHERN BRAZIL HARVEST

Across Brazil, a dry pattern forecast in southern areas over the next week will be favorable for harvest progress. Farther north, soil moisture for developing second crop (safrinha) corn remains favorable with no end to the rainy season in sight.

VARIABLE CHINA TREND

Across central China, a much cooler trend is expected during the next few days, following very warm weather early this week and late last week. The cold front brings significant rains back to the southern half of the region and maintains favorable moisture conditions for development of winter wheat and rapeseed, while also slowing development somewhat. Meanwhile, light to moderate showers have developed in central and north areas with the cold front, which will slow the recent drying trend. However, these areas will need more rain to favor jointing to reproductive wheat during the next few weeks.

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

Follow Bryce Anderson on Twitter @BAndersonDTN

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