WORLD AGRICULTURAL WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS

November 9, 2000

UNITED STATES: In October, a sudden weather pattern change brought heavy precipitation to the West and the previously parched Plains. The abundant moisture eased long-term moisture deficits and aided winter wheat establishment, but slowed fieldwork and caused localized flooding. On the southern Plains, some winter wheat fields that were unplanted by mid-month due to dryness remained unplanted at month's end due to excessive wetness. From the Mississippi River eastward, however, little or no precipitation fell following early-month showers. In the Corn Belt, warm weather and near- to below-normal rainfall favored rapid corn and soybean harvesting. Drought gripped the Southeast, allowing summer crop harvesting, but hampering winter wheat emergence.

SOUTH AMERICA: In east-central Brazil, below-normal October rainfall reduced soil moisture and slowed summer crop planting. In Rio Grande do Sul, above-normal rainfall reduced winter wheat quality and slowed wheat harvesting and summer crop planting. Elsewhere in southern Brazil, near-normal October rainfall provided adequate soil moisture for summer crop planting. In central Argentina, widespread, above-normal October rainfall boosted soil moisture for reproductive winter wheat and summer crop germination. However, the wetness delayed summer crop planting and raised concerns about the potential for reductions in wheat quality.

EUROPE: In October, frequent rainfall in western and south-central Europe hampered winter grain planting and summer crop harvesting. Localized flooding halted fieldwork in England, eastern Spain, and northern Italy. In north-central and eastern Europe, near- to below-normal precipitation and mild weather favored late summer crop harvesting, but decreased topsoil moisture for winter grain emergence. Drought persisted in southeastern Europe.

FSU-WESTERN: In October, mostly dry weather in Ukraine and southern Russia helped corn, sunflower, and sugar beet harvesting, but limited moisture for winter wheat establishment. Continued unusually mild weather in northern Russia fostered later-than-usual winter grain growth. In Uzbekistan, rainy weather in October hampered cotton harvesting.

NORTHWESTERN AFRICA: Preparations for winter grain planting were likely underway in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. Most areas received near- to above-normal rainfall in October, helping to condition topsoils for fieldwork.

MIDDLE EAST AND TURKEY: Winter grain planting was underway throughout the region, with beneficial October rains covering Turkey, northwestern Iran, and the Mediterranean coast.

SOUTH ASIA: During October, showery weather in southern India increased moisture reserves for dry-season cropping. Tropical rains in the eastern rice belt caused additional flooding early in the month. In early November, seasonably drier weather dominated the region, aiding summer crop harvesting and allowing floodwaters to recede in the eastern rice belt.

EASTERN ASIA: In Manchuria, seasonably cold October weather favored summer crop harvesting. Across the North China Plain, and central and southern China, widespread much-above- normal October rainfall boosted moisture supplies for winter grains. The abundant moisture slowed, but did not delay, winter crop planting and summer crop harvesting. In Taiwan, an early November typhoon brought flooding and possible crop damage to rice, while heavy rains in Japan slowed late rice harvesting.

SOUTHEAST ASIA: Above-normal October rainfall slowed rice harvesting across northern Vietnam, the northern Philippines, and portions of Thailand. In Java, Indonesia, near- to above-normal rainfall increased moisture supplies for main-season rice transplanting. Above-normal October rainfall maintained moisture supplies for oil palm in peninsular Malaysia.

AUSTRALIA: Chronic dryness further reduced the yield potential of winter crops in Western Australia. In contrast, wet weather in the east stabilized winter grain conditions and improved pasture and summer crop prospects. Drier weather is needed, however, to avert reductions in winter crop quality.

SOUTH AFRICA: Timely rainfall favored newly planted corn, sunflowers, and sugarcane. Mostly dry weather in Western Cape aided wheat maturation but increased irrigation demands in orchards and vineyards.