CropWatch agroclimatic and agronomic indicators show above average crop condition of crops in the United States, especially maize, soybeans, and rice, which were growing during this monitoring period from July to October, 2016.

The prevailing weather was warm and wet with precipitation 23% above average, and close to average temperature (+ 0.5°C) and RADPAR (-1%). Abundant rainfall was recorded in the northern Great Plains, including North Dakota (RAIN, +150%), South Dakota (+126%), Nebraska (+85%), Kansas (+107%), and Montana (+127%), benefiting the growth of wheat, soybean, and maize. In the Corn Belt, maize and soybeans enjoyed favorable soil moisture availability in major crop production states, including Iowa (RAIN, + 109%), Illinois (+56%), Missouri (+59%), Minnesota (+121%), Wisconsin (+90%), Indiana (+27%), Michigan (+19%), and Ohio (+12%). According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), torrential rainfall in August caused floods in Louisiana. In Arkansas, the most important rice production state, 13% below average rainfall occurred, but with little impact because of sufficient inflow from the Mississippi river. Temperature was above or close to average in most areas including major maize and soybean states (Illinois, +0.9°C; Iowa, +0.5°C), major rice states (Arkansas, +0.6°C), the major spring wheat state (North Dakota, -0.2°C), and major winter wheat producers (Kansas, +0.2°C).

Favorable crop condition is confirmed by the CropWatch agronomic indicators, all compared to the average of the recent five years. Biomass showed a 18% positive departure, CALF was 2% above, and Cropping Intensity also increased by 2%. The accumulated biomass potential (BIOMSS) increase was about 1%, while in the northern Great Plains and Corn Belt it exceeded 1%. As shown by the spatial NDVI patterns and NDVI profiles, the positive NDVI departure covered almost the entire country, including the central and western Corn Belt, Great Plains, and lower Mississippi River, indicating just limited damage to the crops from the heavy rainfall. Overall, CropWatch puts the current year's output as a 5% increase for maize compared with 2015, as well as increases for rice (+6%) and soybeans (+3%). For wheat, a similar output as for 2015 is projected (0%).

(a) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI   

(b) Maximum VCI

(c) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA and the coresponding NDVI departure profiles