Based on the global NDVI profile, CropWatch conjectures above average crop condition for the United Stated This reporting period covered the harvesting season of winter crops and the core of the growing season of summer crops.

In general, weather was normal in the United States: CropWatch agroclimatic indicators recorded an 8% increase in precipitation, a 0.3°C drop in temperature, and a 1% drop in radiation at the national level. In the major production zones abundant rainfall was recorded. The main production zone for winter crops also received abundant rainfall, including in Kansas (RAIN, +56%), Oklahoma (+40%), and Texas (+45%) where serious floods occurred in June. Plentiful precipitation was also recorded in the northern Plains and western Great Lakes, including Nebraska (+38%), South Dakota (+37%), North Dakota (+55%), and Minnesota (+38%, resulting in floods in July). In the Corn Belt, normal or above average rainfall was recorded in Wisconsin (+7%), Indiana (+4%), Illinois (+10%), and Iowa (+13%), while Ohio (-22%) and Michigan (-27%) suffered a water deficit. As the most important rice producing state, Arkansas received above average rainfall (+11%), which benefited the growth of paddy.

Without doubt, the predominantly humid weather provided enough soil moisture for crop growth. In major parts of the southeastern United Stated (including Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida), good crop condition is confirmed by NDVI cluster profiles and positive departure of crop condition development. Good production of paddy and cotton is to be expected this year. Although the states suffering from some floods, the good crop condition in winter crop states (Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma) is also supported by positive NDVI departures. In the Corn Belt, crop condition in the south and east (including Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana) shows positive departures, while in the western and northern Corn Belt (Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin) and northern Plains (North Dakota and South Dakota), crop condition was below average, resulting possibly from water deficit or excess.

In this monitoring period, the seeded area also increased 1% compared to the recent five-year average as a result of sufficient soil moisture. Altogether, crop prospect are favorable.

a)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI                                      (b)Maximum VCI

(c)Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                                                       (d)NDVI profiles