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
The fine balance of soil moisture
It’s a complex interplay that will always require rainfall in the semi-arid Prairies
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
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
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
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
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
Prairie soil moisture picture growing clearer
Alberta driest; Saskatchewan variable; Manitoba mostly OK
It’s a variable soil moisture picture on the Prairies as seeding season draws nearer. The east has enough moisture — and in some cases too much. And it gets progressively drier toward the west, with portions of Alberta nearing critical condition, according to one weather watcher. Bruce Burnett, weather and markets director for the MarketsFarm […] Read more
Storms to bring rain to parched Argentine fields next week, grains exchange says
Drought has limited soy, corn planting
Reuters — A storm front should bring moderate to abundant rainfall across most of Argentina’s key agricultural area over the next week, the Buenos Aires grains exchange said on Thursday, which could help farmers plant their fields after a historic drought. Lack of rainfall in Argentina, the world’s largest exporter of soybean oil and meal […] Read more
California rainstorms fade as death toll reaches 20
Drought to remain an issue for much of state
Reuters — The parade of atmospheric rivers that pounded California for three weeks finally faded on Monday, enabling the state to begin lengthy repairs to roads and levees as the White House announced U.S. President Joe Biden planned to survey the damage. The nine consecutive rainstorms that inundated California in succession since Dec. 26 killed […] Read more
Another ‘atmospheric river’ storm renews flood threat in California
Sacramento | Reuters — Emergency crews braced for the next bout of high winds and torrential rains forecast to sweep California starting on Wednesday, renewing the threat of power outages and flooding that struck parts of the state over the New Year’s weekend. The latest “atmospheric river” — an airborne current of dense moisture flowing […] Read more
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