Global Crop Watch

Global Crop Watch Summary - February 13, 2004.  Widespread showers and warm temperatures favored summer crops in Argentina and Brazil.  More rain is needed in southern Africa, which has been drier than normal this year.  China's dormant winter wheat crop has adequate soil moisture.  Parts of the US winter wheat crop suffered from dryness or extreme cold weather in recent weeks. 

February 2004 Lockup Highlights.  Brazil's corn and soybean production estimates were raised due to favorable weather.  Wheat production is forecast higher in Argentina due to unexpectedly high yields.  Record-low area cut corn production prospects in South Africa.  Revisions were made to China wheat and rice, Ukraine barley, Russia sunflower seed and Turkey corn based on revised government harvest results.   . 

Brazil - Soil Moisture Almost Ideal Across Brazils Corn Areas. There is only a small area of dryness in southern Brazil.  Most of the country has received abundant moisture this year for summer crop development.

Photo - Soybean Harvesting in Brazil.  Harvest of early soybeans has begun in northern Mato Grosso, Brazil.

South Africa Corn Area Graph - Lowest Area Since 1939.   This graph shows corn area has been declining in South Africa.  According to local officials, the 2003/04 corn area forecast of 2.95 million hectares is the lowest since 1939. 

China - Good Soil Moisture for 2004 Winter Wheat Crop - February 10, 2004.   Soil moisture on the North China Plain (circled) is more than adequate for the 2004 winter wheat crop, which will be emerging from dormancy in March.  Recent rainfall in southern China has boosted moisture for early rice planting, which starts soon.

China Wheat Area Trend is Down.   According to local officials, China's winter wheat planted area for 2004 is expected to be lower than last year.  Wheat area has dropped every year since 1997/98.  The 2003/04 wheat area estimate of 22.0 million hectares is the lowest on record.  

US 7-Day Precipitation Map ending February 11, 2004.   Very heavy rain from the lower Mississippi through Kentucky caused locally serious flooding.  A wintry mix of rain, ice, and snow spread over the eastern US.  Scattered rain and snow occurred in the Northwest, but the southwest was dry and reservoirs are low.  Very heavy snow in late January/early February covered the northern plains and upper Midwest.  Temperatures were unseasonably cold over most of the country last week. 

Palmer Drought Severity Index Map for February 7, 2004.  The eastern US is very wet - stream levels are high.  Meanwhile, continued unfavorably dry in the northern and western Plains may hurt the winter wheat crop.  Moisture conditions have improved for crops in the Northwest and southern Plains in recent weeks.