WORLD AGRICULTURAL WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS

September 12, 2000

UNITED STATES: During August, extremely dry weather prevailed in the northwestern and south-central U.S., accompanied by very hot weather in the latter region that severely stressed pastures and immature summer crops, including cotton, soybeans, and sorghum. An already active wildfire season intensified from the Great Basin to the northern Rockies, but beneficial seasonal rains eased long-term moisture deficits in parts of the Southwest. Meanwhile in the Corn Belt, near-normal temperatures and widespread showers aided filling summer crops in eastern areas, but hotter, drier conditions brought some increase in stress on corn and soybeans in western areas. In the South, hot, dry weather resulted in further drought intensification as far east as Alabama, but beneficial showers returned to the southern Atlantic region, aiding immature summer crops and denting long-term moisture deficits.

CANADA: During August, a drying trend aided Prairie spring crop development. However, an early freeze may have caused localized damage in northeastern growing areas. Early-September rainfall was unfavorable for swathed grains and oilseeds. Warmer, drier weather is still needed in Ontario and Quebec for corn and soybean development.

SOUTH AMERICA: In south-central Brazil, widespread late-August rainfall boosted soil moisture for early corn planting, filling winter wheat, and coffee and citrus flowering. In central Argentina, near- to above-normal August rainfall boosted soil moisture in eastern Buenos Aires, La Pampa, and southern Santa Fe. Elsewhere, below-normal rainfall limited soil moisture recharge.

EUROPE: In western Europe and Scandinavia, although near- to below-normal precipitation in August favored winter grain harvesting, moisture remained abundant for developing summer crops. In Germany and Poland, frequent showers delayed winter wheat harvesting, but aided filling summer crops. Elsewhere in eastern Europe, below-normal rainfall along with periodic heat in the south intensified drought and further reduced yield prospects for filling corn and sunflowers.

FSU-WESTERN: In August, mostly dry weather along with periodic heat in Ukraine and southern Russia stressed corn and sunflowers in the filling stage, but helped small grain harvesting. Intermittent showers in northern Russia slowed small grain harvesting. Since late August, light to moderate showers stabilized conditions for immature summer crops in Ukraine and southern Russia and boosted topsoil moisture for planting the 2001 winter wheat crop.

FSU-NEW LANDS: In August, widespread showers improved growing conditions for filling spring grains in Russia, while hot, dry weather during the first half of the month in Kazakstan increased stress on crops and caused a decline in crop conditions. Since early September, warm, dry weather in Russia and Kazakstan has allowed rapid harvest activities.

MIDDLE EAST AND TURKEY: In Turkey, recent rain and milder weather reduced summer crop irrigation demands. Locally heavy rain and flooding hit Iran's Caspian coast.

SOUTH ASIA: During August, warmer- and drier-than-normal weather in central and northern India limited local moisture reserves for summer crop development. In contrast, flooding continued in the northern and eastern rice belts as well as cotton and oilseed areas of India's southern interior.

EASTERN ASIA: In most of Manchuria, near- to above-normal August rainfall stabilized summer crop yield potentials. August rainfall was variable in the North China Plain. In most of central and southern China, above-normal showers maintained adequate moisture for late double-crop rice and summer crops. Below-normal rainfall, however, stressed rice and sugarcane in Guangxi and western Guangdong. Remnants of tropical storms brought much-above normal rainfall to South Korea, possibly damaging filling to maturing rice. In North Korea, rainfall averaged near to slightly below normal, reducing moisture supplies for summer crops. In Japan, below-normal August rainfall and above-normal temperatures favored filling rice.

SOUTHEAST ASIA: In August, near- to above-normal rainfall in Thailand increased moisture for main-season rice. Sunny weather favored rice development in northern Vietnam. Elsewhere in Vietnam, above-normal rains caused flooding. Across the Philippines, near- to above-normal rainfall boosted moisture supplies, but caused localized flooding in Luzon. Above-normal rainfall favored oil palm in peninsular Malaysia, while irrigation supplies were adequate for second-crop rice in Java, Indonesia.

AUSTRALIA: Beneficial rain improved winter grain prospects in the west and southeast. Below-normal rainfall in southern Queensland limited moisture for winter grain development.