Global Crop Watch

Global Crop Watch Summary August 29, 2003 -  Showers fell across central and northwest FSU, recharging soils for winter crops.  Dry weather across the south favored small grain maturation and harvesting.  Europe continued to be hot and dry, although cooler than the record breaking heat of early August.  Colder weather is on the way. Rains continued to improve conditions for winter grains across Australia, more moisture is needed.  The north china plain received heavy rain, recharging soils for upcoming winter wheat planting, however, maturing cotton was likely damaged. The portions of the U.S. hurt by hot and dry weather expanded this week to include the western Corn Belt.

 Australia rainfall map for the 7 days ending July 28, 2003.  For the second consecutive week, rainfall was widespread across Australia's winter wheat growing areas.  Rain is also in the forecast for the next several days.  We thank the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology for publishing this map.

Canadian Prairies 7 day cumulative precipitation.  This map was prepared by the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA). This week rainfall was very light, < 10 mm across the Prairies.  This favored maturation and harvesting of small grains.  But brought little relief from recent hot and dry weather for late-maturing crops.   

Canadian Prairies - Current season precipitation compared to historical distribution.  This map also prepared by PRFA,  shows the season long rainfall compare to long-term normal.  The southeast crop areas have been hurt by severe drought this year, compared the the west and central growing areas, which were hurt by drought last growing season.

United States -  7 Day Cumulative Precipitation Map for the Period Ending August 27, 2003.   This map is provided by NOAA's Climate Prediction Center.  The summer monsoon provided much needed moisture across the southwest U.S.  Rainfall was disappointingly widespread and light across the western Corn Belt, were crop conditions continue to decline.  

United States - Drought Monitor - August 26, 2003.   This map is provided by USDA/NOAA's Joint Ag. Weather Facility. This map indicates that by August 26, drought has expanded into Iowa, southern Minnesota, and western Illinois.  The drought area has increase over the last few weeks, as hot and dry weather expanded from the Southern Plains to the western Corn Belt.

Comparing Drought Monitor Maps of July 8, 2003 with August 19, 2003.    These maps were also provided by USDA/NOAA's Joint Ag. Weather Facility.  Drought expanded significantly from mid-July to mid-August.  By August 26, 2003 parts of the western Corn Belt were no rated as moderate-to-severe drought.

U.S. Vegetative Index Difference Map, comparing August 11-20, 2002 to 2003.  The areas designated by the brown tones are less vegetated than the same time last year.  Some areas this is because crops matured more rapidly this year spurred on by hot and dry weather.  But in most cases the brown tones indicate areas of "poorer" crop conditions than those seen last year.  The brown areas of Montana, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri are currently in poorer conditions than the same time last year.

Vegetative Index and Soil Moisture graphs for Montana's North-Central Crop District.  While soil moisture and vegetation were favorable for winter wheat this year, during July and August 2003, hot and drier weather this year caused depletion of soil moisture and decline in crop condition.  The red lines are 2003, yellow 2002, and gray (long term) normal.

Vegetative Index and Soil Moisture graphs for South Dakota's North Central Crop District.  The vegetation index graph indicates that winter grains and early spring crops were in better condition this year compared to last across northern South Dakota, an area hurt by drought last year.  The soil moisture graph also verifies this. However, as of late August 2003, this area, along with much of the central U.S. is running out of available moisture.

Vegetative Index and Soil Moisture graphs for Iowa's Central Crop District.  The vegetation index and soil moisture graphs verify that Iowa was having a fairly good crop year, normal vegetation and adequate soil moisture. During August, hot and drier weather caused depletion of available moisture and vegetation is dropping before the normal historical average and earlier than it did last year.