Thursday, 6 July 2017

Latest USDA weather update for Europe

Widespread rain stabilized or boosted summer crop prospects over much of the continent, although excessive heat and localized drought adversely impacted southern Europe. 

Following recent hot weather, cooler conditions in Spain (1- 3°C below normal) as well as France, England, Germany, and northern Poland (1-3°C above normal, compared to up to 8°C above normal last week) eased or eliminated stress on vegetative to reproductive small grains and summer crops. 

Furthermore, widespread rain (10-70 mm, locally more) maintained or improved soil moisture as crops such as corn, soybeans, and sunflowers approached or entered the reproductive stages of development. 

Despite the cooler weather, irrigation requirements remained high for flowering cotton in southern Spain (Andalucía) due to an early end to the winter wet season. 

Farther east, excessive heat (35-41°C) and dryness in the lower Danube River Valley increased stress on vegetative to reproductive corn and sunflowers, though cooler, showery conditions had returned as of 3 July.