WORLD AGRICULTURAL WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS

October 12, 2000

UNITED STATES: Although much-needed precipitation arrived on the northern and central High Plains during September, the remainder of the Plains saw further drought intensification. Toward month's end, renewed heat and persistent dryness hampered winter wheat planting and emergence across the southern half of the Plains. Drought remained a concern across the South, especially from Alabama westward, although warm, often dry weather favored summer crop maturation and harvesting. Farther east, however, peanuts and cotton in the southern Atlantic States were soaked by frequent rainfall that slowed fieldwork, but eased long-term drought. Significant rain also fell from the eastern Corn Belt to the Mid-Atlantic region, continuing a trend that developed last spring. In the interior Northwest, unusually heavy precipitation aided fall-sown small grains.

CANADA: Prairie crop harvesting made overall good progress, although lingering wetness in the east resulted in sprouting and reduction in quality. Near- to above-normal temperatures aided late summer crop development in Ontario.

SOUTH AMERICA: During September, unseasonably heavy rain fell across most of southern Brazil, boosting soil moisture for corn and soybean planting, but slowing winter wheat harvesting and raising concerns about possible reductions in wheat quality. In central Argentina, below-normal rainfall in September limited soil moisture for vegetative winter wheat, especially in Cordoba, eastern La Pampa, and northwestern Buenos Aires. During late September, pockets of frost stressed

wheat in southern Santa Fe and Cordoba. In early October, soaking rain fell in central Argentina, benefiting winter wheat and boosting topsoil moisture for corn and sunflower planting.

EUROPE: Mostly dry weather in early September helped late winter wheat harvesting in the north. In England, wet weather late in the month hampered fieldwork. Elsewhere in northern Europe, near-normal rainfall maintained adequate moisture supplies for crops. Below-normal precipitation favored summer crop harvesting in central France, Spain, and Portugal. Although soaking rain improved topsoil moisture in parts of southeastern Europe, more rain is needed throughout the region to end prolonged drought.

FSU-WESTERN: In September, wet weather during the first half of the month in Ukraine and southern Russia provided abundant topsoil moisture for winter wheat germination, but slowed fieldwork for wheat planting and summer crop harvesting. Drier weather has prevailed in these areas since September 21, improving conditions for summer crop harvesting and winter wheat planting. Mild weather in early October spurred rapid emergence and early growth of winter wheat in most areas.

FSU-NEW LANDS: In September, periods of dry weather in Kazakstan allowed the spring grain harvest to advance with only brief delays. In Russia, favorably dry weather early in the month was followed by cold, showery weather, including some snow, slowing harvest activities. Since early October, several days of dry weather helped late spring grain harvesting in Kazakstan, while drier weather in Russia, improved harvest conditions.

MIDDLE EAST AND TURKEY: Winter grain planting likely began in Turkey and Iran, following beneficial local rains.

SOUTH ASIA: During September, unseasonable warmth and dryness persisted in central India, causing a deterioration in conditions of groundnuts and soybeans. In contrast, flooding and localized crop damage continued in the eastern rice belt.

EASTERN ASIA: In Manchuria, below-normal September rainfall reduced soil moisture for filling corn and soybeans, but favored early-maturing summer crops. Across the North China Plain, Yangtze Valley, and Sichuan Basin, near- to above-normal monthly rainfall slowed summer crop maturation and early harvesting, but boosted topsoil moisture for winter wheat planting. In the southern coastal Chinese provinces, below-normal rainfall reduced moisture supplies for sugarcane and rice. Several typhoons brought excessive moisture and flooding to South Korea and central Japan, possibly damaging filling to maturing rice.

SOUTHEAST ASIA: In September, near- to below-normal rainfall across Thailand and Vietnam aided early rice harvesting. In the Philippines, near- to above-normal September rainfall helped filling rice. Above-normal rainfall maintained adequate moisture supplies for oil palm in peninsular Malaysia. Relatively dry, sunny weather favored irrigated second-crop rice in Java, Indonesia.

AUSTRALIA: Unseasonable warmth and dryness in key winter wheat producing areas of Western Australia and New South Wales caused a decline in yield prospects.