Western FSU
Increasing showers
over western and southern portions of the region contrasted with hot, dry
conditions in eastern growing areas.
Moderate to heavy
showers (10-95 mm) associated with a slow-moving storm system developed from
Ukraine and Belarus into north-western Russia, boosting soil moisture for
heading winter grains as well as emerging spring grains, corn, and sunflowers.
However, rain
bypassed areas from Moldova northward through-west-central Ukraine, enabling
fieldwork but reducing topsoil moisture for summer crops.
In southern Russia,
increasing rainfall (10-30 mm) eased concerns over short-term dryness and
improved prospects for flowering to filling winter wheat.
Although this week’s
rain missed the Krasnodar Oblast in the southwestern corner of the Southern
District, heavy showers and thunderstorms (25-50 mm) developed over this key
wheat area at the end of the period (May 31 – June 1).
Meanwhile, sunny
skies and daytime temperatures in the lower to middle 30s (degrees C) increased
stress on filling winter crops from the southern Central District into the
southern Volga District, though the greatest heat (34- 36°C) was generally
outside of major winter wheat areas.
Eastern FSU
A much-needed break
from recent heavy rain arrived in central and western spring wheat areas.
A very wet May
concluded with a welcomed respite in northern Kazakhstan and the southern Urals
District in Russia, with rainfall during the monitoring period generally totalling
less than 5 mm.
Producers in these
locales have struggled to plant spring wheat, as preliminary estimates for May
indicated rainfall totalled 200 to 350 percent of normal for the month.
In contrast, 10 to
50 mm of rain (locally more) improved soil moisture for spring wheat
establishment in the Siberia District, particularly in southern growing areas
(Altai Krai Oblast).
Meanwhile, mostly
sunny skies promoted the development of recently-planted cotton across
Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, though variable light to moderate showers (1-15 mm)
reduced irrigation requirements.