VHI Image Date: Apr 21, 2016 USA Wheat Corn Soybeans Vegetative Health Index Map and Crop Condition Tendency EUROPE Wheat Rapeseed FSU Wheat CHINA Wheat Rapeseed ARGENTINA Corn Soybeans BRAZIL Corn Soybeans S. AFRICA Corn AUSTRALIA Wheat Vegetative Health Index (VHI) Legend 8 16 24 32 40 45 55 60 68 76 84 92 Stressed Healthy Desert Snow/Ice or Missing Data Colored boxes within the map above indicate whether crop conditions will be declining or improving for each crop in each major global growing region, incorporating current conditions and the latest 10 day CropCAST forecast. Declining Neutral Improving The Midwest corn/soybean/wheat belt forecast is unchanged today. Showers favored ND, MN, northwest WI, western IA, northeastern KS, southeast IN, and OH this past weekend. Amounts were 0.25 to 1.5, with 35% coverage of corn and soybeans and 10% of the wheat. Showers should continue across northern areas today, then shift into southern areas on Tuesday. Showers should favor southern and western areas Wednesday, then favor central areas Thursday, and far southwestern areas on Friday. Amounts will be 0.25 to 1.5, with 90% coverage of corn/soybeans and wheat. Widespread rains this week will continue to slow corn/soybean planting but will improve soil moisture, especially in western areas. The 6-10 day outlook is cooler. The 11-15 day outlook is unchanged. The Plains wheat belt forecast is unchanged today. Rains favored northeastern KS this past weekend. Amounts were 0.25 to 0.5, locally 5, with less than 10% coverage. Rains should build across northern and eastern areas Tuesday and Wednesday, then favor far western areas on Thursday. Showers should build across north central and east central areas again Friday. Amounts should be 0.25 to 1.5, locally 3, with 90% coverage. Additional widespread rains this week will further improve moisture for wheat growth. The 6-10 day outlook is drier in southeastern areas. The 11-15 day outlook is unchanged. The Brazil corn/soybean belt forecast is unchanged today. Showers favored Rio Grande do Sul and southern Santa Catarina this past weekend. Amounts were 0.25 to 1.5, locally 3, with 15% coverage. Showers should build across western Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, southern Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo, Parana, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul this week. Amounts will be 0.25 to 1.5, locally 3, with 80% coverage of corn and soybeans. The upturn in rains in west central and south central areas this week will improve moisture for safrinha corn. The 6-10 day outlook is drier in east central areas. Europe: China: Argentina Other Major Crop Areas Forecast is unchanged today; dryness will continue across northern Italy, Slovak Republic, and Hungary. Forecast is unchanged today; showers will improve moisture a bit in southwest Northeast China this week. Forecast is unchanged today; additional showers in northern areas will maintain harvest delays and wetness concerns.
6-10 Day Forecast: Sat Apr 30-Wed May 4 MDA 6-10 Day Temperature Forecast Drier southeastern Plains MDA Previous Forecast Previous Forecast Model Preference: ECM Ensemble CHANGES: The precipitation outlook is drier in the southeastern Plains. Temperatures are cooler in the Plains and northwestern Midwest. CROP IMPACT: Showers in the western Plains would further improve moisture for wheat, while rains in the Midwest and Delta would slow corn and soybean planting. Spring wheat planting should improve in the northern Plains. RISKS: There is a drier risk in the southwestern Plains. CONFIDENCE: Confidence in the temperature outlook is slightly above normal. Confidence in the precipitation outlook is near normal. MODEL PREFERENCE: ECM ensemble 11-15 Day Forecast: Thu May 5-Mon May 9 MDA 11-15 Day Temperature Forecast Drier northern Plains MDA 11-15 Day Precipitation Forecast Previous Forecast Previous Forecast Model Preference: ECM Ensemble CHANGES: The precipitation outlook is drier in the northern Plains. Temperatures are cooler in the Delta. CROP IMPACT: Showers in the western Plains would continue to improve moisture for wheat, while drier weather in the Midwest and Delta would favor remaining corn and soybean planting. Mild temperatures in northern areas would favor crop early growth. RISKS: There is a wetter risk in the southeastern Plains. CONFIDENCE: Confidence in the temperature outlook is near normal. Confidence in the precipitation outlook is near normal. MODEL PREFERENCE: ECM ensemble
United States The Midwest wheat belt is unchanged today. The Delta wheat belt is unchanged today. PAST 72 HOURS: Showers favored North Dakota, Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin, western Iowa, northeastern Kansas, southeastern Indiana, and Ohio this past weekend. 5 DAY FORECAST: Showers should continue across northern areas today, then shift into southern areas on Tuesday. Showers should favor southern and western areas Wednesday, then favor central areas Thursday, and far southwestern areas on Friday. CROP IMPACT: Frequent showers this week will slow corn and soybean planting. However, the rains will further improve soil moisture, and will be especially beneficial in western areas. The rains will favor corn/soybean germination and wheat growth. PAST 72 HOURS: A few showers favored northern Mississippi early this past weekend. 5 DAY FORECAST: A few showers should favor southern areas today, and northern areas Tuesday. Showers should build across much of the region on Wednesday, then return to central and northern areas on Thursday. CROP IMPACT: Drier weather much of this past weekend allowed wetness to ease a bit and planting to improve. Showers mid and late week will slow planting a bit once again. The Northern Plains wheat belt is unchanged today. The Plains wheat belt is unchanged today. PAST 72 HOURS: Showers increased across Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota this past weekend. 5 DAY FORECAST: Showers should be active across much of the region through Thursday, then linger in Montana on Friday. The showers may mix with snow across the western Dakotas and Minnesota. CROP IMPACT: Abundant showers this week will continue to improve moisture supplies, but will stall spring wheat planting. Cooler temperatures and snowfall will slow germination. PAST 72 HOURS: A few showers favored northeastern Kansas this past weekend. 5 DAY FORECAST: Rains should build across northern and eastern areas Tuesday and Wednesday, then favor far western areas on Thursday. Showers should build across north central and east central areas again Friday. CROP IMPACT: Additional rains this week will continue to replenish moisture and improve crop conditions for winter wheat growth. However, some limited dryness will continue in far southwestern areas. United States % Precipitation Coverage Past 3 Days Midwest Midwest Midwest Plains Delta Delta Delta N. Plains W. Wheat Corn Soybeans W. Wheat Wheat Corn Soybeans S. Wheat > 6 mm (0.25") 9% 31% 37% 5% 1% 2% 1% 90% > 25 mm (1.0") 2% 7% 5% 0% 0% 0% 0% 2% Soybean Areas W. United States % Precipitation Coverage 5 Day Forecast Midwest Midwest Midwest Plains Delta Delta Delta N. Plains W. Wheat Corn Soybeans W. Wheat Wheat Corn Soybeans S. Wheat > 6 mm (0.25") 100% 100% 99% 93% 100% 100% 100% 94% > 25 mm (1.0") 56% 87% 81% 50% 92% 92% 93% 49%
Past 72 Hour Precipitation Totals (inches) Previous Forecast 72 Hour Precipitation MDA Precipitation Forecast Monday, April 25, 2016 Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Wednesday, April 27, 2016 Thursday, April 28, 2016 Friday, April 29, 2016 5 Day Total
Maximum Temperature 3 Days Ago Maximum Temperature 2 Days Ago Maximum Temperature Past 24 Hours MDA Maximum Temperature Forecast Monday, April 25, 2016 Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Wednesday, April 27, 2016 Thursday, April 28, 2016 Friday, April 29, 2016 1-5 Day Average Temperature Departure
Argentina The Argentina corn/soybean belt forecast is unchanged today. Argentina % Precipitation Coverage Argentina % Precipitation Coverage Past 3 Days W. Wheat Corn Soybeans 5 Day Forecast W. Wheat Corn Soybeans > 6 mm (0.25") 27% 28% 28% > 6 mm (0.25") 29% 34% 32% > 25 mm (1.0") 4% 6% 6% > 25 mm (1.0") 0% 0% 0% Argentina Crop Areas PAST 72 HOURS: Showers favored east central Cordoba, southern Santa Fe, and northern and southwestern Buenos Aires this past weekend. 5 DAY FORECAST: A few showers should favor Cordoba, Santa Fe, Entre Rios, and northern Buenos Aires this week. 6-10 DAY: The 6-10 day outlook is unchanged. CROP IMPACT: Persistent showers in Cordoba, Santa Fe, and Entre Rios will maintain slow harvest progress and wetness concerns. Meanwhile, continued drier weather in La Pampa, and central and southern Buenos Aires will favor harvest progress. RISKS: There is a drier risk in northern Cordoba and northern Santa Fe this week. Soybean Areas Brazil The Brazil corn/soybean belt forecast is unchanged today. Brazil % Precipitation Coverage Brazil % Precipitation Coverage Past 3 Days W. Wheat Corn Soybeans 5 Day Forecast W. Wheat Corn Soybeans > 6 mm (0.25") 36% 18% 15% > 6 mm (0.25") 99% 85% 77% > 25 mm (1.0") 14% 4% 5% > 25 mm (1.0") 75% 48% 40% Brazil Crop Areas PAST 72 HOURS: Showers favored Rio Grande do Sul and southern Santa Catarina this past weekend. 5 DAY FORECAST: Showers should build across western Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, southern Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo, Parana, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul this week. 6-10 DAY: The 6-10 day outlook is drier in east central areas. CROP IMPACT: The upturn in rains across west central and south central areas this week will improve moisture for safrinha corn early growth, and will be most beneficial in Parana and Mato Grosso do Sul. However, moisture will remain a bit short across eastern Mato Grosso and Goias. The upturn in rains will also slow soybean harvesting. RISKS: There is a wetter risk in northern Goias this week. Soybean Areas
Europe The Europe wheat/rapeseed belt forecast is unchanged today. Europe % Precipitation Coverage Europe % Precipitation Coverage Past 3 Days W. Wheat Corn Rapeseed 5 Day Forecast W. Wheat Corn Rapeseed > 6 mm (0.25") 19% 35% 22% > 6 mm (0.25") 74% 67% 87% > 25 mm (1.0") 1% 5% 1% > 25 mm (1.0") 4% 6% 5% Europe Crop Areas PAST 72 HOURS: Showers favored east central France, southern UK, southern Germany, central Italy, Former Yugoslavia, Romania, and Bulgaria. 5 DAY FORECAST: Rains should favor east central Spain, Germany, northern UK, central Poland, central Italy, Former Yugoslavia, Romania, and Bulgaria. 6-10 DAY: The 6-10 day outlook is wetter in France. CROP IMPACT: Showers have improved moisture a bit in central Italy, Romania, and Bulgaria, and additional improvements are expected across these same areas this week. However, dryness will continue to stress crops across northern Italy, Hungary, and Slovak Republic. Rains in northern Germany will further improve moisture there as well. Cool temperatures are resulting in some very spotty damage to wheat/rapeseed in central Germany and west central Slovak Republic. RISKS: There is a wetter risk in northeastern France, Germany, and western Poland in the 6-10 day period. CONFIDENCE: Slightly above normal. Former Soviet Union FSU % Precipitation Coverage Past 3 Days W. Wheat S. Wheat Corn Sunflower > 6 mm (0.25") 16% 29% 3% 10% > 25 mm (1.0") 0% 2% 0% 0% Former Soviet Union Crop Areas FSU % Precipitation Coverage 5 Day Forecast W. Wheat S. Wheat Corn Sunflower > 6 mm (0.25") 77% 32% 84% 79% > 25 mm (1.0") 14% 3% 7% 12% The FSU wheat belt forecast is unchanged today. PAST 72 HOURS: Showers favored western Ukraine, Belarus, Central Region, and Volga Valley this past weekend. 5 DAY FORECAST: Showers should favor eastern and far western Ukraine and Central Region this week. 6-10 DAY: The 6-10 day outlook is wetter in western Ukraine, and drier in North Caucasus. CROP IMPACT: Dryness continues across southeastern and west central Ukraine and North Caucasus. Showers should improve conditions in southeastern Ukraine this week, and west central Ukraine in the 6-10 day period. However, dryness will continue to build across North Caucasus, which will stress wheat growth as well as corn germination. Temperatures have cooled across northern areas. RISKS: There is a wetter risk in central and western Ukraine this week.
China China % Precipitation Coverage Past 3 Days W. Wheat Corn Rapeseed Soybeans > 6 mm (0.25") 23% 13% 61% 23% > 25 mm (1.0") 6% 2% 17% 7% China Crop Areas Soybean Areas China % Precipitation Coverage 5 Day Forecast W. Wheat Corn Rapeseed Soybeans > 6 mm (0.25") 24% 32% 67% 34% > 25 mm (1.0") 1% 3% 29% 7% The China corn/soybean belt forecast is unchanged today. PAST 72 HOURS: Showers favored central and southern Yangtze Valley and south central N. China Plain. 5 DAY FORECAST: Rains should favor southern and western Yangtze Valley and south central Northeast China this week. 6-10 DAY: The 6-10 day is wetter in Northeast China, central North China Plain, and southeastern Yangtze Valley. CROP IMPACT: Rains in central and southwestern Northeast China this week will improve moisture a bit for corn and soybean germination, and some improvements are also possible in central and northeastern North China Plain in the 6-10 day period. Meanwhile, some wetness will persist in south central Yangtze Valley, which will maintain high disease pressure on rapeseed. RISKS: There is a wetter risk in west central North China Plain this week. Southeast Asia SE Asia % Precipitation Coverage Past 3 Days Palm > 6 mm (0.25") 43% > 25 mm (1.0") 19% Southeast Asia Crop Areas Palm Areas SE Asia % Precipitation Coverage 5 Day Forecast Palm > 6 mm (0.25") 94% > 25 mm (1.0") 64% The Southeast Asia palm oil belt forecast is unchanged today. PAST 72 HOURS: Rains favored central Sumatra, southwestern Malay Peninsula, central Kalimantan, and central East Malaysia this past weekend. 5 DAY FORECAST: Rains should favor west central and southern Sumatra, southwestern Malay Peninsula, Kalimantan, and central and southwestern East Malaysia. 6-10 DAY: The 6-10 day outlook is wetter in western Kalimantan. CROP IMPACT: Showers in southwestern Malay Peninsula this week should continue to improve moisture and palm conditions. However, dryness will continue to stress the crop in northeastern Malay Peninsula, northern Sumatra, and northeastern East Malaysia. Moisture should remain adequate across central and southern Sumatra, Kalimantan, and southwestern East Malaysia. RISKS: There is a wetter risk in northern Sumatra and western Malay Peninsula this week.
South Africa The South Africa corn belt forecast is unchanged today. S Africa % Precipitation Coverage Past 3 Days Corn > 6 mm (0.25") 0% > 25 mm (1.0") 0% South Africa Crop Areas S Africa % Precipitation Coverage 5 Day Forecast Corn > 6 mm (0.25") 0% > 25 mm (1.0") 0% PAST 72 HOURS: Dry weather prevailed this past weekend. 5 DAY FORECAST: Dry weather should prevail this week. 6-10 DAY: The 6-10 day forecast is drier in north central and eastern areas. CROP IMPACT: Dry weather is now favoring corn drydown and early harvesting, and the continued lack of rains this week will favor crop maturation. RISKS: There is wetter risk in southern Kwazulu-Natal this week. Australia The Australia wheat belt forecast is unchanged today. PAST 72 HOURS: A few showers favored far eastern New South Wales and southwestern Western Australia this past weekend. Australia % Precipitation Coverage Australia % Precipitation Coverage Past 3 Days W. Wheat Barley Sorghum 5 Day Forecast W. Wheat Barley Sorghum > 6 mm (0.25") 0% 0% 0% > 6 mm (0.25") 75% 75% 4% > 25 mm (1.0") 0% 0% 0% > 25 mm (1.0") 1% 0% 0% Australia Crop Areas 5 DAY FORECAST: Showers should favor Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and southern New South Wales this week. 6-10 DAY: The 6-10 day outlook is drier in South Australia. CROP IMPACT: Showers in southern New South Wales, Victoria, and central South Australia this week will improve moisture slightly for wheat germination, but much more rainfall will still be needed there to sufficiently replenish moisture. Dryness will build further in northern New South Wales and Queensland. RISKS: There is a wetter risk in Queensland in the 6-10 day period.
Canadian Prairies Canada % Precipitation Coverage Past 3 Days S. Wheat > 6 mm (0.25") 32% > 25 mm (1.0") 2% Canadian Prairies Crop Areas Wheat and Canola Areas Canada % Precipitation Coverage 5 Day Forecast S. Wheat > 6 mm (0.25") 30% > 25 mm (1.0") 2% The Canadian Prairies wheat/canola belt forecast is unchanged today. PAST 72 HOURS: Showers favored east central and southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan this past weekend. 5 DAY FORECAST: A few showers should linger in far southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan today, then linger across far southern Saskatchewan Tuesday and Wednesday. A few showers should favor southern Albert and southwestern Saskatchewan again on Thursday, then favor western Alberta on Friday. 6-10 DAY: The 6-10 day outlook is drier in northwestern areas. CROP IMPACT: Showers in southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan are improving moisture a bit for spring wheat. However, much more rainfall will still be needed across west central Saskatchewan, and central and western Alberta to replenish moisture. RISKS: There is a drier risk in southern areas in the 6-10 day period. CONFIDENCE: Slightly above normal.