WORLD AGRICULTURAL WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS

July 11 , 2001

UNITED STATES: In early to mid-June, the slow-moving remnants of Tropical Storm Allison caused major flooding but relatively minor agricultural damage in the western and central Gulf Coast regions. Elsewhere in the South, widespread June showers aided pastures and summer crops, despite lingering long-term precipitation deficits from the Delta eastward. Farther north, most of the Midwest received near-normal rainfall, favoring corn and soybean development, although pockets of wetness hampered final soybean planting efforts in the western Corn Belt. Meanwhile, showers provided limited relief to pastures, winter wheat, and spring-sown small grains in the drought-affected Northwest and northern High Plains. In contrast, very warm, mostly dry weather prevailed on the central and southern High Plains, aiding winter wheat harvesting, but depleting topsoil moisture and increasing stress on summer crops.

CANADA: In early July, hot, dry weather stressed spring crops in or nearing reproduction in the southwestern Prairies. Crop conditions elsewhere in the Prairies are stable. In eastern Canada, conditions are generally favorable for vegetative corn and soybeans.

SOUTH AMERICA: In central Argentina, showers during the first half of June increased topsoil moisture, while subsequently drier weather favored winter wheat planting. Freezing weather in late June favored summer crop harvesting, which neared completion. In southern Brazil, near-normal June rainfall maintained favorable soil moisture for vegetative winter wheat and winter corn. Near-normal rainfall increased moisture supplies for cocoa in coastal Bahia.

EUROPE: In southern England and France, below-normal rainfall and periods of hot weather during June and early July reduced topsoil moisture for vegetative summer crops and heading winter grains. Hot, dry weather in Spain and Portugal maintained high irrigation requirements for summer crops, but favored early winter wheat harvesting. In central and eastern Europe, near- to below-normal temperatures slowed crop growth, while near- to above-normal rainfall in most areas maintained adequate moisture supplies for crop development.

FSU-WESTERN: In June, above-normal precipitation in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, the Baltics, and Moldova maintained adequate moisture for winter grains in the reproductive to filling stages of development, and spring-sown crops in the vegetative stage. Persistent wetness in parts of Ukraine increased concerns about the potential for disease development and crop lodging, especially in winter wheat.

FSU-NEWLANDS: Near- to above-normal precipitation in June maintained favorable moisture conditions for vegetative spring grains in most of Russia and Kazakstan. Below-normal precipitation in the southern Urals region of Russia, limited moisture for crop development.

MIDDLE EAST AND TURKEY: In June, warm, dry weather favored late winter wheat planting but increased irrigation requirements of summer crops such as cotton. Scattered, light showers boosted moisture levels for summer crops across northern Turkey.

SOUTH ASIA: Since mid-June, monsoon activity has been weak over India's southern interior, reducing moisture for summer crop planting and establishment. Abundant rainfall elsewhere maintained adequate to excessive moisture supplies, with some flooding reported in primary rice and oilseed areas.

EASTERN ASIA: Across the North China Plain and southern Manchuria, drought persisted into mid-June, further stressing summer crops. Since mid-June, however, showers eased drought and boosted moisture supplies for summer crop development. In northern Manchuria (Heilongjiang), late-June and early-July dryness limited soil moisture for soybean development. Across the Yangtze Valley and southern China, near- to above-normal June rainfall maintained moisture supplies for rice and sugarcane. Widespread mid- to late-June rainfall covered most of the Korean Peninsula, helping summer crops to partially recover from drought. In Japan, near-normal rainfall favored rice.

SOUTHEAST ASIA: In June, above-normal rainfall throughout Indochina increased moisture supplies for corn and rice, but slowed planting and harvest activities. In the Philippines, Tropical Storm Chebi in June was followed by Typhoon Utor in July, causing flooding and some damage to corn in Luzon. Near- to below-normal rainfall in Java, Indonesia, aided late season rice harvesting, while above-normal rainfall in peninsular Malaysia increased moisture supplies for oil palm..

AUSTRALIA: During June, unfavorably dry weather in Western Australia, Queensland, and northern New South Wales further delayed winter crop planting and reduced moisture for normal crop establishment. Although showers brought relief to some Western Australia crop areas in early July, unfavorable dryness persisted in Queensland and northern New South Wales.