FSU-WESTERN: Dry weather helped planting activities in most of Ukraine and Russia, although rain was needed in the eastern two-thirds of Ukraine for spring-sown crop emergence and early plant establishment.
FSU-NEW LANDS: Unseasonably warm, dry weather helped spring grain planting in Russia and Kazakstan.
EUROPE: Widespread rain increased moisture for vegetative winter grains across central and eastern Europe, while showers provided limited drought relief to northern portions of the Iberian Peninsula.
MIDDLE EAST: Widespread showers benefited winter wheat in northwestern Iran, while dry weather elsewhere favored fieldwork.
NORTHWESTERN AFRICA: Dry weather facilitated winter grain harvesting.
AUSTRALIA: Drier weather overspread eastern Australia, spurring winter grain planting, while beneficial rain in western Australia continued to favor winter grain planting and early development.
SOUTHEAST ASIA:Monsoon showers continued to provide beneficial moisture for crops in Indochina and the Philippines.
EASTERN ASIA:Widespread showers benefited crops from southern Manchuria to the southern coast.
SOUTH AFRICA: Warm, dry weather promoted winter wheat planting while aiding maturation and drydown of corn and other summer crops.
ARGENTINA: Cool, dry weather promoted corn and soybean harvesting, but some locations needed rain for winter wheat germination.
BRAZIL: Rain soaked southern winter wheat areas, but unseasonable warmth and dryness persisted in major citrus and coffee areas.
CANADA: Beneficial rain improved spring crop prospects in the southeastern Prairies.
MEXICO: The rainy season is off to a slow start in central and northeastern Mexico.
FSU-WESTERN: Unseasonably warm, dry weather persisted over the eastern two-thirds of Ukraine and Russia during most of the week, helping spring grain, sugar beet, and sunflower planting.Reports from Ukraine indicated that spring crops were about 98 percent planted by May 20.Corn was 87 percent planted.Reports from Russia as of May 17 indicated that spring grains were about 53 percent planted.Corn and sunflowers were about 59 and 61 percent planted, respectively.Rain was needed in the eastern two-thirds of Ukraine, where a drying trend has lowered soil moisture.Elsewhere, wet weather (25-50 mm or more) was observed in extreme western Ukraine and most of Belarus.Little or no rain fell in Moldova.Weekly temperatures averaged near normal in western Ukraine and Belarus, and 1 to 5 degrees C above normal in the remainder of Ukraine and Russia.Toward week's end, maximum temperatures approached or exceeded 30 degrees C at several locations in eastern Ukraine and Russia.In April, a warming trend reversed March's unseasonably cold weather throughout the region, melting an unusually late-season snow cover and prompting greening in winter grains.Winter grains in Ukraine and the Southern Region in Russia broke dormancy about 1 to 2 weeks later than usual, while crops in northern Russia resumed spring growth around usual dates.In Ukraine, periods of dry weather allowed spring grain planting activities to accelerate, helping growers overcome some earlier planting delays caused by a late spring.In Russia, wet weather during the second half of the month further delayed planting activities, especially in the Central and Volga Regions.By month's end, crop progress for winter grains ranged from tillering in northern Russia to jointing in Ukraine, central and southern Russia, and southern Belarus.
FSU-NEW LANDS: Unseasonably warm, dry weather prevailed across major spring grain areas of Kazakstan and Russia, helping to accelerate the planting pace.Weekly temperatures averaged 4 to 8 degrees C above normal in the Urals Region in Russia and north-central Kazakstan, and 1 to 4 degrees C above normal across the remainder of the region.In major cotton areas of Central Asia, mostly dry weather helped cotton planting, although unseasonably cold weather in eastern areas slowed crop emergence and early growth.In April, a drying trend was accompanied by near- to above-normal temperatures in most of Kazakstan and Russia, allowing early fieldwork in preparation for spring grain planting.Since last fall, moisture accumulations were near to above normal, boosting soil moisture levels for the upcoming growing season.Spring grain planting usually begins in May.
EUROPE:A persistent, unusually strong area of high pressure over western Asia slowed storms systems moving across Europe, maintaining the month-long wet trend in central and eastern growing areas but bringing only limited drought relief to northern portions of the Iberian Peninsula.From central France eastward into Poland, light to moderate rain (10-25 mm) slowed fieldwork but favored vegetative to flowering winter grains.In addition, isolated freezes accompanied the wet weather in central Germany, although the duration and extent of the cold was insufficient to cause widespread damage to jointing winter grains.Across much of southern Europe, locally heavy rain (20-75 mm) provided adequate to abundant moisture for spring-sown summer crops.Rain was especially welcomed in Italy's Po Valley, where below-normal winter precipitation had raised concerns over developing drought.Farther west, locally heavy showers (25-50 mm) provided limited drought relief to northern portions of the Iberian Peninsula, while the onset of the dry season in southern portions of Spain and Portugal reduced already limited moisture supplies for summer crops. Elsewhere, showers (10-25 mm) provided additional moisture for vegetative winter grains in England and the Low Countries.In April, above-normal precipitation provided favorable conditions for vegetative winter grains across England, France, western Germany, and the Balkans.Drier-than-normal conditions in Poland and eastern Germany favored winter wheat development, although concerns over developing dryness have eased with recent rains.In the Iberian Peninsula, much-needed rain in northern portions of Spain and Portugal improved pastures and eased livestock stress, while drought persisted across southern areas.
MIDDLE EAST:Locally heavy rain in northwestern Iran contrasted with warm, dry weather across the rest of the region.A slow-moving upper-air disturbance triggered moderate to heavy showers (20-40 mm) across northwestern Iran, increasing moisture supplies for vegetative to filling winter wheat.Elsewhere, dry, warm weather (temperatures 2-4 degrees C above normal) favored cotton planting and early winter grain harvesting.In April, below- normal rainfall in northwestern Iran reduced topsoil moisture for winter wheat, although timely rain during recent weeks has reduced or eliminated developing short-term moisture deficits.Elsewhere, widespread rain maintained adequate moisture supplies for vegetative to heading winter grains while easing short-term dryness in the eastern Mediterranean.
NORTHWESTERN AFRICA:High pressure maintained dry conditions across much of the region.In Morocco, dry, warm weather (temperatures 1-3 degrees C above normal) reduced yield prospects for maturing winter grains but favored harvesting.In Algeria and Tunisia, dry but cooler weather (temperatures near normal in Algeria, 2-4 degrees C below normal in Tunisia) favored maturing winter grains and early crop harvesting.In April, persistent dryness coupled with above-normal temperatures (1-3 degrees C above normal) worsened grain prospects in Morocco.In contrast, a storm during the second week of April brought beneficial rain to Algeria and Tunisia, maintaining generally favorable conditions for maturing winter grains.(This will be the last weekly summary of the growing season.Coverage will resume in October 2005 upon commencement of the autumn planting season.)
AUSTRALIA:Following last week's soaking rain, drier weather (less than 5 mm) overspread Queensland and northern New South Wales, likely encouraging widespread winter grain planting.The drier weather was welcomed because it enabled fieldwork. However, more rain will be needed soon to promote germination and emergence of recently planted crops.Farther south, dry weather continued to plague southern New South Wales, northern Victoria, and South Australia.The dryness further reduced soil moisture, delaying winter wheat and barley planting in many parts of southeastern Australia.In contrast, beneficial rain (25-55 mm) continued to fall periodically across Western Australia, maintaining favorable moisture supplies for winter grain planting and early development.Temperatures in Western Australia averaged about 2 to 3 degrees C above normal, favoring winter grain germination and emergence, while seasonably warm weather elsewhere maintained normal evaporation rates.In April, mostly dry, unseasonably warm weather favored summer crop harvesting in Queensland and northern New South Wales, but delayed winter grain planting.Similarly, mostly dry weather limited soil moisture for upcoming winter grain sowing in southeastern Australia.In contrast, periodic rain and seasonably warm weather in Western Australia maintained favorable conditions for winter grain planting and early crop development.
SOUTHEAST ASIA:Showers (25-50 mm or more) returned to southern and central Thailand after 2 weeks of unfavorably dry weather,increasing soil moisture for vegetative corn.Showers (50-100 mm) continued in eastern Thailand, maintaining moisture supplies for vegetative rice.In southern Vietnam, showers (25-100 mm) continued to increase irrigation supplies for both summer-autumn and 10th month rice.Monsoon showers began moving into the central Philippines, providing much-needed moisture to corn and rice.In Indonesia, showers (25-100 mm) maintained moisture supplies for oil palm in Sumatra, while seasonably dry weather prevailed in Java.In April, monsoon showers began moving into Thailand, easing long-term dryness and boosting moisture supplies for vegetative corn.Unseasonably dry weather continued in the Philippines, helping second-crop grain harvesting but increasing demands on irrigation for planting main-season crops.In Indonesia, showers caused rice harvesting delays in Java, while boosting moisture supplies for oil palm in Sumatra and Malaysia.Irrigation supplies in southern Vietnam were reportedly adequate for 10th month and summer-autumn rice.
EASTERN ASIA:Moderate to heavy showers fell from southern Manchuria to the southern coast.On the North China Plain, showers (10-50 mm) benefited filling winter wheat.Showers (50-100 mm or more) south of the Yangtze Valley slowed maturation of winter rapeseed but boosted moisture supplies for vegetative single-crop rice and early double-crop rice entering reproduction.In Manchuria, recent cool weather has likely slowed planting activities, especially in Heilongjiang and Jilin, while soil moisture remained favorable for germinating corn and soybeans in Liaoning.In April, near- to above-normal rainfall on the North China Plain benefited reproductive winter wheat, although dry weather in southern Hebei and northern Henan reduced soil moisture.Above-normal rainfall continued along the Yangtze Valley, favoring reproductive winter rapeseed.In southern China, rainfall was adequate for double- and single-crop rice.Above-normal precipitation in Manchuria boosted soil moisture in advance of corn and soybean planting, which typically begins in May.
SOUTH AFRICA:Mostly dry, seasonably warm weather dominated the corn belt, helping summer crop maturation and drydown and promoting winter wheat planting in primary growing areas of Free State and North West.Farther east, local showers (10-25 mm or more) may have caused minor sugarcane harvesting delays along the coast of KwaZulu-Natal.In Western Cape, light showers (less than 10 mm) kept topsoils moist for winter wheat germination but long-term moisture levels are still unfavorably low in some primary crop areas.During April, showers across the corn belt maintained favorable moisture levels for late-planted summer crops, as well as the upcoming winter wheat crop, although below-normal temperatures slowed summer crop maturation.Elsewhere, rain improved winter wheat prospects in Western Cape, although long-term moisturereserves remained unfavorably low.(This will be the last weekly summary of the growing season.Coverage will resume in October 2005 upon commencement of the spring planting season.)
ARGENTINA:Mostly dry, albeit cool weather covered most major grain and oilseed areas, supporting final corn and soybean harvests.Freezing temperatures (lows at or below 0 degrees C) were recorded as far north as Santiago del Estero, helping maturation and drydown of standing summer crops in the more westerly growing areas.According to Argentina's Agricultural Secretariat (SAGPyA), corn and soybeans were 79 and 89 percent harvested, respectively, as of May 19.Peanuts, which are predominately grown in southern Cordoba, were 66 percent harvested compared with 17 percent last season.In the far north, lingering light to moderate showers (10-25 mm or more) hindered fieldwork in the eastern cotton areas of Chaco and Formosa.In contrast, SAGPyA reported some concern for dryness in northern Cordoba and southern Buenos Aires as farmers plant the 2005/06 winter wheat crop.During April, conditions were overall favorable for summer grain and oilseed harvesting, although locally heavy rain plagued the northern cotton belt.The drying trend currently affecting the southern winter wheat belt (La Pampa and southern Buenos Aires) began in early April, and rainfall will be needed soon to ensure even germination and proper crop establishment.
BRAZIL:Locally heavy showers (25-100 mm or more) covered much of the southern wheat belt (Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and southern Parana), greatly increasing moisture for winter wheat and corn but likely causing local flooding.The heaviest rainfall (100-200 mm or more), which was concentrated over western Santa Catarina, may have locally damaged filling to maturing winter corn or caused washout of newly planted wheat.In contrast to the southern wetness, unseasonable warmth and dryness persisted over much of the central interior, including major coffee and citrus areas in Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais, further reducing moisture available to that region's agriculture.Harvest of the 2004/05 coffee and citrus crops may be underway early in response to the drying trend, but moisture remained limited for 2005/06 crops, which typically flower during the beginning phase of the summer rainy season (September to November).Elsewhere, scattered showers (10-50 mm or more) increased moisture for coffee, sugarcane, and cocoa in growing areas along the northeast coast.In April, near- to above-normal rainfall aided crop development inthe southern winter corn and winter wheat areas, although the frequency of the rainfall in Rio Grande do Sul hampered soybean harvesting.In contrast, the current pattern of unseasonable warmth and dryness became entrenched in citrus and coffee areas of Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais, signaling an apparent early start to that region's dry season.
CANADA:Beneficial rain (10-25 mm, locally exceeding 50 mm) covered much of Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba, increasing moisture for germination and establishment of newly planted spring grains and oilseeds.The rainfall was especially welcomed in previously dry portions of southeastern Saskatchewan.Both provinces were reporting good planting progress at most locations prior to the onset of the wet weather, although recent weeks of below-normal temperatures have slowed emergence and necessitated local replanting of canola.Dry weather continued in Alberta, where rain was needed to ensure even spring crop germination.Near- to above-normal temperatures (1- 3 degrees C above normal, with freezing weather confined to eastern Saskatchewan and Manitoba) aided winter grain and pasture development while helping to raise topsoil temperatures to more favorable levels for spring crop germination.In eastern Canada, cool, showery weather slowed development of winter wheat and pastures, as well as emergence of corn and early-planted soybeans.During April, scattered rain and snow showers moistened topsoils for early spring crop plantings, although dry pockets lingered in the southeast.Temperatures averaged above normal, but sub-freezing lows limited the potential for spring grain germination and growth of winter grains and pastures.In eastern Canada, mild, showery weather promoted development of winter wheat and pastures while encouraging early corn and soybean harvesting.
MEXICO:Mostly dry, seasonably warm weather dominated the southern Plateau corn belt, as farmers continued to await the onset of seasonal rainfall. Elsewhere, scattered showers (greater than 10 mm) fell in crop areas closer to the Gulf of Mexico (Tamaulipas southward to Oaxaca) increased moisture for germination of corn and other summer crops.Heavier rainfall (25-50 mm or more) fell in the southeast, with the passing of Hurricane Adrian over central America.Hot, dry weather promoted winter wheat harvesting in the northwest.During April, near- to above-normal rainfall was confined to crop areas from Mexico State south and eastward as mostly dry weather dominated primary crop areas from the southern Plateau to the northwest.Light showers fell in the northeast, but did not significantly benefit winter sorghum or add to that region's reservoir storage.