This report covers the flowering, grain filling, and maturity stages of maize and soybeans. Spring wheat was harvested in August in the northern United States and Canada. Overall, conditions in the Southern Plains were exceptionally dry and hot, while the eastern region experienced more favorable conditions.

As a whole, dry and hot weather prevailed in the main production areas of North America, with rainfall and RADPAR both below average (ΔRAIN -24%, ΔRADPAR -1%), and temperatures(ΔTEMP +0.9°C) higher than the 15-year average . Affected by the rainfall deficit and high temperatures, estimated biomass was below average (ΔBIOMSS -12%). However, agricultural meteorological conditions showed high spatial variability. The Lower Mississippi and the area from the Canadian Prairies to the Southern Plains experienced below-average rainfall throughout the reporting period, along with a significant warming trend. This resulted in a below-the-15YA estimate of potential biomass (BIOMSS -20%). The Corn Belt also experienced dry and hot weather, with potential biomass close to the average. Abundant rainfall in early August effectively replenished soil moisture for maize and soybeans at the flowering and filling stages and facilitated yield formation. After August, as maize and soybeans entered the maturity and harvest stage, the slightly below-the-15YA rainfall created good conditions for harvest.

The VHIm reflected drought conditions in the Canadian Prairies, Northern Corn Belt, and Southern Plains during the reporting period. The VCIx reached 0.86, with poor crop conditions observed in the southern parts of the Canadian Prairies and Southern Plains, while favorable conditions were observed in the Corn Belt. Compared to the 5-year average, higher average CALF (+2%) was observed for the whole region.

In summary, the CropWatch assessment indicates poor crop conditions in the Southern Plains and average crop conditions in the Corn Belt.

Figure 2.2 North America MPZ: Agroclimatic and agronomic indicators, July to October 2023

(a) Spatial distribution of rainfall profiles

(b) Spatial distribution of temperature profiles

(c) Potential biomass departure from 5YA

(d) Maximum VCI

(e) Cropped and uncropped arable land

(f) VHI Minimum