Hot Dry Weather Threatens Chinese Corn And Soybeans

Young corn and soybeans on the Manchurian Plain are being stressed by dry field conditions and unusual springtime heat, says Gail Martell of StormX. Heavy April rainfall may have encouraged growers to plant corn and soybeans early, but very warm and dry weather has hindered growth in the recent 3-4 weeks. Dryness affects the leading corn and soybean provinces Jilin and Heilongjiang.

Conditions have grown desperately dry in Heilongjiang. Harbin in the heart of soybean country has received a scant 0.1 inch of rainfall in the past 30 days. Mid May is usually the prime time for planting, but growers may have sown their soybeans right after heavy late April showers, believing the rainy season had begun in earnest. Prospects have declined with worsening dryness in May, she adds.

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