Commodities Market Impact Weather

OMAHA (DTN) -- Midwest cold and snow, and beneficial rain across Brazil, are the key weather items for the commodity trade's attention Thursday.

MIDWEST SNOW, ICE AND COLD

The DTN ag weather forecast calls for another round of moderate to locally heavy snow, ice and rain Friday into Saturday. This is likely to disrupt travel and transport during this period. It also will maintain very wet conditions, and is a concern as we look towards the spring planting season. Temperature values are likely to be below zero Fahrenheit in western and some central areas of the region. The chance for cold-air stress in soft red winter wheat areas will need to be watched.

USEFUL SOUTHERN PLAINS PRECIPITATION

In the Southern Plains, recent and forecasted rain and thundershowers and no significant cold weather outbreaks will maintain mostly favorable conditions for winter wheat. A significant ice storm is possible through Friday in southwest and central areas. This increases stress to livestock in the feedlots and affects travel and transport.

BITTER COLD IN NORTHERN PLAINS

In the Northern Plains, moderate to heavy snow and bitter cold over the next five days will affect travel, safety, and grain transport, along with being stressful to livestock. Central and western areas will be drier through the next seven days.

BENEFICIAL BRAZIL RAIN

Across Brazil, heavy rain occurred in the southern crop areas Wednesday night. These rains have improved conditions for soybeans and full season corn, especially when combined with the weekend rainfall. Light to moderate showers Thursday and Friday will maintain favorable conditions for crops in south-central areas. Northern areas also have adequate to surplus soil moisture conditions, with more rain indicated in the next seven days.

QUIETER ARGENTINA TREND

Argentina's primary central crop areas had moderate to heavy rain Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. A drier period is indicated during the balance of the week. However, temperatures will be seasonal; thus, no heat stress is indicated for crops.

MILD BLACK SEA TEMPERATURES

In the Black Sea region, there are no cold-air threats to winter grains in Ukraine and Russia through the next week. Temperature trends are being watched due to a lack of snow cover in the region.

BENEFICIAL SOUTH AFRICA TREND

In South Africa, crop weather conditions remain generally beneficial.

LATE-ARRIVING AUSTRALIA RAIN

Southeastern Australia has seen moderate to heavy rain during the past few days. The rain has brought only brief easing of wildfire conditions. The arrival of rain is also too late to do more than stabilize summer crop prospects.

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

Follow him on Twitter @BAndersonDTN

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