Weather in major exporting countries remains favorable for harvesting and sowing

The weather generally favors producers in conducting field work, therefore it has minimal impact on markets and crop prices.

After several weeks of dry and warm weather in the Midwest and Plains of the United States, temperatures are expected to drop and precipitation to increase next week, which will help the development of winter crops, although it will delay the corn harvest.

Due to the government shutdown, the USDA does not provide data on the harvest in the US, but according to analysts, soybeans and corn have been harvested on more than 70% and 60% of the areas, and the winter crop sowing rate exceeds last year’s.

Recent rains have helped ease drought in the Delta and Midwest, but have failed to raise the Mississippi River, which continues to make navigation difficult on the river that carries the bulk of U.S. grain exports. But more rain is expected next week.

Brazil continues to have favorable weather for soybean planting, with occasional rains, which is driving up planting rates compared to last year. However, drier weather is forecast for central Brazil next week, allowing farmers to complete planting in a timely manner. At the same time, a front will move into central Brazil from the south, bringing additional precipitation.

Another front this week will bring rain from the south to the north of Argentina, improving soil moisture and the condition of the wheat crop. Overall conditions remain favorable for planting and early development of corn, while soybean planting will begin in about a week and will be in full swing in November.

A new wave of rain and showers will hit Europe next week. Soil moisture is mostly favorable for sowing and development of winter wheat, but the rains could delay the corn harvest and other field work.

In Ukraine, precipitation has decreased this week, allowing farmers to increase the pace of harvesting sunflower and soybeans, although cold and wet weather does not contribute to drying. Therefore, producers are harvesting grain with a moisture content of 15-20% and drying it. Due to high humidity, corn harvesting is delayed, and farmers will have to wait for either warm weather or frost to harvest. Sowing of winter wheat has also accelerated slightly, and more than 80% of the projected area has already been sown with it, but some of the area was sown after the optimal time, so warm weather is needed in November for the crops to develop before frost.

In the southwest of the Russian Federation and in the Black Sea region, precipitation is increasing, and next week a front from Europe will bring additional rains, which will improve moisture reserves and the condition of winter crop crops.

Australia has been experiencing a worsening drought over the past few weeks, with only limited rainfall this week and another wave of scattered rain expected next week. But some key growing regions remain too dry for the wheat-to-canola season.

Heavy rains lashed central China last week, followed by a cold front over the weekend. With dry conditions in central and northeastern China, this should help winter wheat and rapeseed crops, as well as corn and soybean harvests in the northeast. Light rain is forecast there next week.

Tags: Australia, Ukraine, China, Brazil, EU, Black Sea region, USA, harvesting, crop condition, Argentina