Cold, snowy weather maintained favourable conditions for dormant
winter grains and oilseeds.
Across key southern winter wheat areas of Russia and
Ukraine, temperatures averaged 5°C or less, indicating crops were becoming or already
dormant.
In addition, fresh snowfall (5-20 cm) by week’s end afforded
winter wheat insulation against potential incursions of bitter cold.
Farther north, winter grains were also dormant from Belarus
and northern Ukraine into central Russia, though crops in these areas were
poorly established following an unfavourably dry autumn.
In addition, areas along the border between Russia’s Volga,
Southern, and Central Districts remained devoid of snow cover, exposing winter
crops to this past week’s bitter cold (-20 to -15°C).