WORLD AGRICULTURAL WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS

June 11, 1999

UNITED STATES: During May, several anomalies persisted from the previous month, including cool weather in the West, warmth in the Corn Belt, and heat across South Texas. In addition, most of the Plains remained wet, while parts of the East turned increasingly dry. The Midwestern warmth spurred the development of winter wheat and spring-sown crops. In contrast, very cool weather and dry soils hindered small grain growth in the Northwest. Meanwhile, monthly rainfall totaled 8 inches or more across parts of the east- central Plains and western Corn Belt, delaying spring planting and increasing disease pressure in winter wheat. Excessive precipitation also hampered planting in North Dakota. Widespread showers provided beneficial moisture in parts of the Northeast and across Florida, but drought stressed pastures and summer crops from the Mid-Atlantic region southward into Georgia.

CANADA: Chronic wetness in the southeastern Prairies has resulted in late plantings and a likely shift from wheat to shorter season grains and oilseeds. Much acreage may remain unplanted. Elsewhere, spring grain and oilseed planting is virtually complete. In eastern Canada, showers and seasonal warming favor emerging corn and soybeans in Ontario. However, winter wheat, currently in or near the heading phase, is susceptible to disease infestation.

SOUTH AMERICA: In central Argentina, drier weather prevailed across the region in May, easing wetness from heavy April showers. However, isolated heavy showers exacerbated wetness. In southern Brazil, near-normal May rainfall boosted soil moisture for winter wheat germination in Rio Grande do Sul. Drier weather farther north aided coffee and citrus harvesting.

EUROPE: Persistent rains delayed corn planting in southwestern France. Timely rains across northern Europe, including Scandinavia, benefited winter grains in the reproductive to filling stages and spring-sown crops in the vegetative stage. Hot, dry weather in May maintained drought conditions in southern Spain, while unseasonably cool weather slowed crop development in eastern Europe. Below-normal precipitation in the Balkans favored fieldwork but caused a reduction in soil moisture.

FSU-WESTERN: In early May, a freeze occurred as far south as southern Ukraine and the northern tip of the North Caucasus region in Russia. Although temperatures did not fall low enough to cause significant damage to winter grains in the jointing stage, the freeze hurt newly-emerging spring-sown crops in Ukraine and the Central Black Soils Region in Russia. In early June, unseasonably warm, dry weather in Russia and Ukraine promoted crop development but reduced soil moisture.

FSU-NEWLANDS: In May, unseasonably warm, dry weather in the Western Siberia region of Russia and primary spring grain producing areas in Kazakstan favored rapid planting progress but lowered soil moisture. Showers and mild weather in early June in Western Siberia improved topsoil moisture for germination.

SOUTH ASIA: The southwest monsoon arrived somewhat ahead of schedule and appears to be developing normally across the region. Rain has already improved localized planting prospects in the south and east for rice, coarse grains, oilseeds, and cotton. Plantings should advance north and westward over the next 6 weeks as the monsoon becomes more firmly established over India.

EASTERN ASIA: In the North China Plain, timely May rainfall favored reproductive to filling winter wheat and boosted topsoil moisture for summer crop germination. However, dryness in early June reduced moisture supplies across the region. In Manchuria, near-normal May rainfall aided summer crop germination, but more rain will be needed in Heilongjiang. Near-normal May rainfall maintained moisture supplies for rice across the Yangtze Valley, the Korean Peninsula and Japan. Below normal rainfall in portions of southern China (Guangdong) reduced moisture supplies for rice.

SOUTHEAST ASIA: Near- to above-normal May rainfall maintained adequate moisture supplies for rice across Thailand. Above-normal showers in northern Vietnam slowed winter-spring rice harvesting. Near-normal May rainfall favored oil palm in peninsular Malaysia and main-season grains in the Philippines. Below-normal May rainfall aided main-season rice harvesting in eastern Java, but moisture will be needed for second-crop rice.

AUSTRALIA: Since early May, nearly all primary wheat and barley areas have received sufficient rainfall for crop germination and establishment. However, long-term moisture levels remain well below normal in sections of the southeast, and more rain will be needed for normal crop development. Winter grain and oilseed planting typically lasts into July.