By the end of this monitoring period, winter wheat reached the jointing to heading stages. The sowing of spring crops (wheat, maize, soybeans and rice) started in late-March and will last till the end of May. In general, the crop conditions were around average.

For North America, agro-climatic conditions were average during this period with close-to-average precipitation (-3%), temperature (-0.1℃) and radiation (-3%). Temperatures fluctuated dramatically during the monitoring period. After warmer-than-usual weather in January,  temperatures dropped 10°C to 13°C below average in mid-February, affecting the winter wheat production regions as far south as Texas.  Subsequently, temperatures recovered to 2-6°C above average in early March. It seems that the unusually cold temperatures did not cause much damage to wheat, but they slowed its growth and development. Precipitation was quite stable and evenly distributed. After receiving average to above-average precipitation until March, precipitation in the Corn Belt and Central Plains decreased to below average. Precipitation in the Southern Plains was overall heavier compared to the 15YA.  It was 60 mm above average in late April, which was favorable for winter wheat growth. The VCIx value of 0.76 indicates average crop conditions. Regions with low VCIx values (<0.5) were mainly located in the western part of the main winter wheat production area, coinciding with drought conditions indicated by the Minimum VHI map. CALF was 3% lower than the average of the last 5 years.

Prospects for crop production are generally favorable in North America. Weather conditions in May are crucial for the establishment of the summer crops and the grain filling stage of winter wheat.

Figure 2.2 North America MPZ: Agroclimatic and agronomic indicators, January  to April 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)

d. VHI Minimum

f. Cropped and uncropped arable land

g. Biomass accumulation potential departure

h. Maximum VCI