This reporting period covers the completion of maize and soybean harvest, as well as the planting and early growth phases of winter wheat. The conditions of the summer crops had been described in the previous bulletin. In general, the crop conditions for winter wheat are mixed due to large spatial variation in rainfall.

The entire region was dominated by relatively dry weather conditions. Rainfall was 13% below the 15YA (RAIN 268 mm), Temperatures were 0.7℃ above average and solar radiation (RADPAR 527 MJ/m²) was near average (-1%).  Rainfall was relatively evenly distributed and fluctuated around the average. The impact of the water deficit was captured by the minimum vegetation health index (VHIx). It showed severe drought in northwestern Texas and eastern Colorado. The 20% below average potential biomass also confirmed the negative impact of drought on crops growing in both regions. A VCIx below 0.5 also reflected the poor crop conditions in the northwest of Texas. 

In short, the farming activities were low during this monitoring period, and the crop conditions were mixed in North America. Conditions were below average in the west because of a drought and normal in the east.

Figure 2.2 North America MPZ: Agroclimatic and agronomic indicators, October 2020 to January 2021.

a. Spatial distribution of rainfall profiles  b. Profiles of rainfall departure from average (mm)

c. Spatial distribution of temperature profiles 

d. Profiles of temperature departure from average (°C)

e. VHI Minimum

f. Cropped arable land

g. Biomass accumulation potential departure

h. Maximum VCI

Note: For more information about the indicators, see Annex B.