Commodities Market Impact Weather

OMAHA (DTN) -- Wet weather and conditions causing extensive fieldwork delays, and a continued wet outlook for the Midwest next week, are the key weather items for the commodity trade's attention Wednesday.

WET OUTLOOK IN MIDWEST

The DTN ag weather forecast calls for wet conditions to continue to delay corn planting during the next 10 days. The heaviest rains may shift into the south and east areas for a time before shifting back into central and a little of the west again later. Colder conditions are expected for the north and west areas, while the southeast is fairly warm at times. In the six- to 10-day outlook, temperatures are expected to average near to below normal in the northwestern part of the Corn Belt, and above to near normal south and east. Rainfall should average near to above normal.

COLD, UNSETTLED FOR NORTHERN PLAINS

In the Northern Plains, cold and unsettled weather will disrupt and delay spring wheat and corn planting during the next five days. Below-normal temperatures but less precipitation is expected in the six- to 10-day period.

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS FOR SOUTHERN PLAINS

In the Southern Plains, there's adequate-to-surplus soil moisture for developing winter wheat. Conditions are mostly favorable, except in areas of local severe weather or heavy downpours. Episodes of scattered thunderstorms will maintain adequate-to-surplus soil moisture for spring crops in the region, although there may be some planting delays at times.

RAIN RETURNS TO DELTA

Dry, warm weather during the weekend and early this week should help improve conditions for planting in the Delta. The region will see episodes of scattered showers and thundershowers beginning today and continuing off and on during the next seven days. This will delay seasonal fieldwork at times.

IMPROVING SOIL MOISTURE IN CANADA'S PRAIRIES

Low temperatures, and in some areas recent snow, will limit fieldwork this week in the Canadian Prairies. Precipitation may help improve soil moisture somewhat during the next five days. It will be somewhat drier during the six- to 10-day period, but still on the cold side. Even with recent and forecast precipitation in the region, more will be needed to support favorable germination and early development of crops during the coming weeks.

STILL FAVORABLE IN CENTRAL BRAZIL

While some improvement is possible this week in central Brazil, there might be additional heavy rain again early next week. There's no significant concerns for second-crop corn areas in Brazil at this time.

WEEKEND RAIN EXPECTED FOR ARGENTINA

Rain is expected through the central and south Argentina agriculture belt this weekend. This will likely be followed by a turn to colder weather. Rain will delay the harvest of summer crops and any early planting of winter wheat. Rain will provide favorable soil moisture in key winter wheat growing areas.

RAIN FOR EASTERN AUSTRALIA

A strong cold front is expected to bring showers and thundershowers to southeast South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales during the next 24 to 72 hours. Rainfall of 0.75-1.50 inch and locally heavier is expected through central and east Victoria, and southern and central New South Wales. Northern NSW should see 0.50-0.75 inch during this period, and southern Queensland 0.10 to 0.50 inch. This rain will provide a welcome boost to soil moisture as the planting season gets underway; however, more rain will still be needed. No significant rainfall is being forecast for Western Australia's wheat areas during the next 10 days.

LIGHT PRECIPITATION FOR CHINA SOYBEAN AREAS

Key growing areas for soybeans in Heilongjiang, China, will see a variable temperature pattern and some light precipitation during the next seven days. More rain and warmer weather will be needed to ensure favorable conditions for planting and early development.

COOL, WET FOR CHINA WINTER WHEAT AREAS

China's winter wheat and rapeseed areas had weekend rainfall with well-below-normal temperatures. It does not appear to have been cold enough to harm reproductive crops. Cool, wet conditions may be somewhat unfavorable for filling crops at this time, but it should warm up during the coming days. Conditions are mainly favorable for planting summer crops in the area, including corn, soybeans, groundnuts, rice and cotton.

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

(AG)

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