... There is also emerging evidence that a warming planet is leading to a slowing of weather systems and development of more blocking patterns.

Extreme rainfall and a warming planet

Changes to the jet stream could slow storm systems and result in more heavy rainfalls

Reading Time: 3 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Factors resulting in extreme rainfall events range from lots of atmospheric moisture to different triggers such as orographic or frontal lift, instability, speed of storm systems, and the training of thunderstorms. We will look at the different weather patterns that tend to be associated with rainfall and tie in changing weather patterns […] Read more

Attendees weren’t complaining about the road conditions at Ag in Motion. (Western Producer photo by Alex McCuaig)

At Ag in Motion: Exhibitors ready after rainy first day

Wednesday typically AiM's most popular day

The sun is shining, exhibitors are ready and the grounds are prepared for a traditionally-busy second day of the Ag in Motion show near Langham, Sask. Opening day saw the clouds roll in and the skies open up, but few were complaining about the much-needed moisture that rolled through much of Western Canada on Tuesday. […] Read more


The smaller the particle size of minerals in the soil, the better it is at holding water.

The fine balance of soil moisture

It’s a complex interplay that will always require rainfall in the semi-arid Prairies

Reading Time: 4 minutes Spring has been warmer than usual this year, making rain even more important. In the semi-arid Prairies, soils that hold some of winter’s meltwater may give emerging crops a good start but the finish is up to the water delivered by seasonal rainfall. Crop physiology depends on it. “Water is the key ingredient when it […] Read more

File photo of rice growing near Pune in Maharashtra, western India. (ePhotocorp/iStock/Getty Images)

Late Indian monsoon to start in next two days

The monsoon is vital to the country's agricultural production

MarketsFarm – The onset of India’s annual southwest monsoon, which is vital to the country’s agricultural production, is expected to hit the southern state of Kerala within the next 48 hours, according to an update from the India Meteorological Department. The persistence of westerly winds over the Arabian Sea, the increased depth of those westerly […] Read more


Rain needed for soybeans, other southern Manitoba crops

Rain needed for soybeans, other southern Manitoba crops

Seeded soybeans projected to be up more than 40 million acres from 2022

MarketsFarm – When Toban Dyck started to plant his 600-plus acres of soybeans this year, the soil in the Winkler, Man. area had pretty decent moisture content. But following the combination of hot temperatures and strong winds with little rainfall in May, precipitation is now much needed.  “There’s still a little bit of moisture there. […] Read more

Photo: File

Rain, drought highlight different growing areas

Eastern Prairies to see improved rains

MarketsFarm — Depending on which region you’re in, you could be stuck in a severe drought or facing rains that will help alleviate that dryness or push back when fields should be dry enough to begin spring planting. That’s the assessment from Drew Lerner, president and senior agricultural meteorologist at World Weather Inc. at Overland […] Read more


File photo of wheat south of Ethelton, Sask. on Aug. 1, 2022. (Dave Bedard photo)

CBOT weekly outlook: U.S. wheat futures correct higher

Traders' eyes remain on weather

MarketsFarm — After dropping to their weakest levels of the past two years, U.S. wheat futures were due for the corrective bounce that saw all three markets posted sharp gains on Wednesday. Soybeans and corn saw spillover support from the rally in wheat, with all three markets watching weather conditions through the growing season. U.S. […] Read more

CBOT July 2023 soft red winter wheat with 50-day moving average, Minneapolis July 2023 hard red spring wheat (yellow line) and K.C. July 2023 hard red winter wheat (orange line). (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Chicago wheat, corn hit fresh lows

Export competition, China cancellations drag on futures

Mexico City | Reuters — Chicago wheat futures fell for a seventh straight session on Thursday and touched a 21-month low on export competition while corn hit a nine-month low, walloped by cancellations of U.S. corn sales to China. The most-active wheat contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) dropped 12-3/4 cents to settle […] Read more