Commodities Market Impact Weather

OMAHA (DTN) -- A drier period for the Northern Plains, unsettled weather in the Midwest, and mixed conditions for South American crops, are the key weather items for the commodity trade's attention Tuesday.

UNSETTLED WEATHER IN MIDWEST

The DTN Ag Weather forecast for the Midwest calls for unsettled weather this week, especially in the southeast to east-central Midwest, and this will disrupt the remaining harvest. Drier weather last week should have allowed some harvesting to occur. Low temperatures moving into the area do not appear to be low enough in the east and south Midwest to harm the soft red winter wheat crop at this time.

EXTREME COLD IN NORTHERN PLAINS

The Northern Plains has extreme cold conditions lasting a few days and a secondary surge during this coming weekend. There will be increased stress to livestock, especially in areas with fresh snow cover. However, there will be no significant added precipitation during the next seven days. Limited harvest activity is expected.

DRY TREND FOR SOUTHERN PLAINS

In the Southern Plains, dryness is of increased concern through southwest and central growing areas. There is some chance for light precipitation in a portion of this area Sunday, but aside from that, drier weather continues. There is somewhat better moisture for the south-central and southeast areas. There are no significant cold weather threats for either winter wheat or livestock in feedlots of the southwest and central Plains at this time.

CONTINUED RAIN FOR BRAZIL

Brazil crop areas have favorable conditions for developing soybeans throughout the major growing areas, although persistent rainfall in central Brazil may increase soybean rust issues. Above-normal temperatures and limited rainfall continues to affect soybean planting and development in the minor northeast areas (Bahia).

HOT IN ARGENTINA

Argentina's high temperatures, in the 90s and 100s Fahrenheit, Monday and again Tuesday will increase stress to earlier-planted crops and reduce soil moisture in some already too dry areas. This heat wave should break by Thursday, but the cold front is not expected to bring any significant rainfall with it. A secondary cold front this weekend stands a better chance to cause thunderstorms, but it appears that this rain will mostly miss the driest areas of La Pampa and Buenos Aires, in favor of portions of Cordoba and Santa Fe, and eventually southern Brazil as well.

IMPROVING SOUTH AFRICA CONDITIONS

South Africa has improving conditions for planting and development of maize and sugarcane due to increasing rains and lower temperatures during this past week, including the weekend. There is some delay to planting due to the wet conditions.

AUSTRALIA DRYNESS CONCERN

Dryness remains of much concern in key summer crop growing areas at this time in Australia. Drought impact to sorghum, cotton and sugarcane can be expected, although sorghum and cotton are normally more drought resistant than other crops, and cotton is mostly irrigated.

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

(CZ)

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