Global Crop Watch

Global Crop Watch Summary - June 18, 2004 -  Dry weather continued across NE China, constraining corn crop establishment.  Across the North China Plain, weather favored wheat harvest and soil moisture was adequate for corn and other summer crop establishment.  The eastern and northern U.S. Corn Belt remained too wet.  This wet weather could continue through the rest of June, putting pressure on replanting efforts.  Heavy rains were welcomed across Kansas and Nebraska, benefiting summer crops, however, this weather slowed winter wheat harvest.  Recent rains provided moisture for wheat establishment across Australia.  Drought continues across southern Queensland and northern New South Wales, which account for about 10 - 15 percent of the country's wheat production.  

 China Corn Growing Area Map -  This map is provided by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board and shows China's major and minor corn growing areas.  Also, it shows the typical crop calendar.  Across the North China Plain and Northeast China, corn planting should wind down by mid-June.  Corn was planted in the Northeast under dry conditions.  Much needed rain is forecast for this area in the next week.  

Eastern Asia Precipitation Map for May 2004 - This monthly precipitation map, prepared by NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, defines the dry areas of Northeast China. Rainfall through mid-June 2004 remained light across the northeast corn areas.  However, heavy rainfall, in the next week, should be of great benefit to corn establishment there.  Soil moisture has been adequate for corn establishment across the North China Plain. 

Precipitation Map for the Indian Sub-Continent - This map prepared by NOAA's Climate Prediction Center shows the precipitation for the 7 days ending June 12, 2004.  The Southwest Monsoon is getting off to a good start.  After this map's time, rains also fell across Madhya Pradesh and southern Rajasthan.  

Canada Seasonal Rainfall Map, "Percent of Average Precipitation in Agricultural Areas:  April 1 - June 10, 2004 - This map prepared by The Office of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada illustrates the persistent wet weather the eastern Prairie Province and the southeast Summer Crop growing areas have experienced during Spring 2004.  Up until mid-June the central Prairies were a bit too dry, however rainfall increased in this area during June as seen in the next map.  

Canada Prairie Provinces - 7 day Cumulative Precipitation Map - June 9 - 16, 2004.  - This map prepared by The Office of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and shows the much that much needed rain fell across the drier areas shown on the previous map.  This precipitation improved soil moisture for small grains and oil seeds.  Temperatures across the Prairies have averaged on the colder side and hurt crop growth and development.