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NASS-Cast:
April 21, 2008 Pre-NASS
Temperatures this past week were pleasant, even warm, across the Northern Plains Great Lakes, New England, California and the Southwest. So, what of the summer crop belt? Actually, the south, from Texas thru the Central Plains and the western Lakes across the Ohio Valley remain cooler than usual. However, the story of the week was moisture, or the lack of it. Much of the nation had a week to dry out, except for a narrow band of heavy rain from southeast Colorado across Kansas, Iowa the northward into Wisconsin.
That was last week. This week will not be as favorable, 5 day rain totals up the Plains into the western half of the Corn Belt ranging from a half inch to 2 inches. The eastern Corn Belt could be drier, but the storm center might just drift eastward dragging its rain totals with it.
The NWS 6 to 10 day outlook suggests seasonal to mild temperatures thru the month. The Southern Plains will be drier, the Corn Belt seasonally moist. The first week of May could be wet again except for the Southeast.
On average, field work remains slow, although with each passing day evaporation climbs along with the average temperature. Growers should be able to make spotty headway, although, once again, rushing onto wet soils may not be as economically fruitful as hoped for. And, with the state of equipment, significant planting can be accomplished in minimal time. With the push toward beans already noted, this is too early in the planting season to join the bubble builders across the commodity spectrum.
Winter wheat is another story. On average, the crop is in reasonable condition considering. Precipitation remains crucial, especially for Texas and Oklahoma. ON the other hand, large portions of Kansas enjoyed pleasant rains. And, temperatures for the week were mildly cool, slowing evaporation and providing some relief to a thirsty crop. Rains are not on tap this week and the week 2 outlook is a difficult one with warmer temperatures and minimal moisture. Crop condition will be rather slow to reflect the complex situation as the crop in the south deteriorates and the crop in the north improves.
Al Peterlin with Metro weather for town and country.
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DecisionCast:
Monday, April 21, 2008
The week 2 outlook, April 27-May3, suggests seasonal to mild temperatures thru the month. The Southern Plains will be drier, the Corn Belt seasonally moist. The first week of May could be wet again except for the Southeast.
The week 2 outlook is a difficult one for winter wheat with warmer temperatures and minimal moisture. Crop condition will be rather slow to reflect the complex situation as the crop in the south deteriorates and the crop in the north improves.
This is Al Peterlin with Metro Weather for town and country.
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Crop Watch:
April 7, 2008
April 2008, like March, will be cooler than usual across the northern half of the continental US. There will be some variability in the Pacific Northwest although it will still be on the cool side of average much like the Cascades. The southern half of the nation will experience near average temperatures.
The April 2008 precipitation prediction will be near average across the nation's midsection. Heavier than usual moisture is expected in coastal areas, including the Pacific Northwest, California, the eastern Gulf coast and the eastern seaboard from Florida to New England.
While not as extreme as March, April"s weather based energy demands will be stronger than usual especially from the Lakes to New England keeping some pressure on price although economic conditions may be overriding. While considered outside the meteorological winter months, April still accounts for about 10 percent of the seasons heating fuel demand in a normal year.
The sharp difference from daytime highs to overnight low will force growers to continue to monitor grain storage bins for condensation collection along bin walls. Livestock stress levels will be elevated as the birthing season approaches, and moist soils will add to the discomfort. The dormant winter wheat crop will face some difficulties with episodic cold. Spring moisture in the Southern Plains will be about seasonal, but there is a current soil moisture deficit south, and heavier moisture would have been beneficial. California planting and vegetable operations will enjoy typical temperatures, but the southern vegetable regions will see more showery interruptions for field work.
Cool temperatures could keep a chill on northern consumers, slowing spring buying hopes especially for early summer season clothes, even as the south celebrates warmer temperatures. There should be significant regional buying pattern differences from north to south this month. Footfall in the north could be higher as cool temperatures urge buyers into large enclosed malls especially where shopping is entertainment. Rain gear should be in demand along both coasts. This will be the wettest month of the year for the parched southeast, but drought ending conditions will not continue.
This is Al Peterlin with Metro weather for town and country.
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