WORLD AGRICULTURAL WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS

June 12 , 2001

UNITED STATES: Following early-May precipitation in the Plains and upper Midwest, summer crop planting advanced rapidly under a warm, breezy weather regime. However, the late-May return of cool, showery weather to the Midwest slowed final planting operations and crop emergence. On the central and southern Plains, widespread thunderstorms stabilized the condition of the troubled winter wheat crop, but caused localized wind, hail, and flood damage. On the drought-affected northern High Plains, dry, breezy conditions and rapid temperature fluctuations further stressed pastures and small grains. Mostly dry, hot weather prevailed in the West, increasing irrigation and electrical demands and increasing stress on dryland crops. Farther east, rainfall eased dryness in the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic region, and interior South. Drought persisted, however, in the Gulf Coast and southern Atlantic regions. In early June, the remnants of Tropical Storm Allison brought heavy rain and flooding to the central and western Gulf Coast States.

CANADA: Early-June rainfall greatly improved spring crop emergence prospects in Alberta, following weeks of hot, dry, windy weather. In Manitoba, a drying trend that began in mid-May followed earlier wetness, aiding final plantings efforts.

SOUTH AMERICA: In central Argentina, near-normal May rainfall maintained soil moisture for early wheat planting, but did not slow summer crop harvesting. In southern Brazil, above-normal May rainfall boosted soil moisture for second-crop corn and winter wheat. Unseasonably wet weather hampered cotton harvesting in Mato Grosso, Goias, and Mato Grosso do Sul. Near- to above-normal May rainfall increased moisture supplies for cocoa in coastal Bahia and coffee in Espirito Santo.

EUROPE: In western Europe, cool, wet weather in early May was followed by unseasonably warm, dry weather later in the month, favoring winter grain development. The drier weather helped late summer crop planting in the north, but increased irrigation demands in the south. Periodic showers maintained topsoil moisture in the western Balkans, but below-normal precipitation fell in Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. Warm weather and near-normal rainfall favored summer crop and winter grain development in northeastern Europe.

FSU-WESTERN: In May, near- to above-normal precipitation in Ukraine and Russia maintained adequate moisture conditions for winter grains and spring-sown crops. Temperatures averaged near to below normal in May, lowering evaporation rates, but slowing summer crop emergence and development. Since early June, cool, showery weather continued to benefit crops, but raised concerns about the potential for increases in disease.

FSU-NEWLANDS: In May, unseasonably warm, dry weather in Kazakstan and most of Russia allowed for rapid spring grain planting. The exception was in Eastern Siberia, Russia, where planting began later than usual due to cold, snowy weather.

MIDDLE EAST AND TURKEY: Warm, dry weather favored winter grain harvesting from southern Turkey and Syria through Iran. Spring rains benefited wheat development in central and northern Turkey and increased long-term irrigation supplies for summer crops such as cotton.

SOUTH ASIA: Near- to above-normal rainfall promoted early field preparations in nearly all Indian summer crop areas.

EASTERN ASIA: Across the North China Plain, weather conditions in May were the warmest and driest in at least the past 20 years, reducing yield prospects for corn and winter wheat. Dryness also limited moisture for spring wheat and summer crops in southern Manchuria. Across the Yangtze Valley, below-normal May rainfall favored single crop rice and summer crop planting, and beneficial rain in early June increased moisture supplies across the region. Across southern China, near- to above-normal May rainfall maintained moisture supplies for sugarcane, early rice, and corn.

SOUTHEAST ASIA: In May, Indochina received above-normal rainfall, increasing moisture supplies for upcoming rice planting, but slowing harvest activities. Near- to above-normal rainfall also benefited rice in the Philippines and oil palm in peninsular Malaysia. Dry weather in Java, Indonesia during the month allowed main-season rice harvesting to proceed normally, but lowered moisture supplies for second-crop rice.

AUSTRALIA: In May, winter grain planting progressed slowly, due to a lack of planting moisture in many areas. A more active weather pattern developed in late-May, bringing much-needed rainfall to most major winter grain areas. Additional rain will be needed in upcoming weeks to ensure proper crop establishment.