In general, crop condition was average in the North American MPZ (Figure2.2). The summer crops (maize, soybean and spring wheat) were completelyharvested at this time, while winter crops have been planted and reached over-winteringstages.

Overall, CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show warmer than average and wetweather conditions: rainfall was 56% above average and the temperaturedeparture was +1.9°C. Actually, wet and mild agroclimatic conditions (asdisplayed in Figure 2.2) were common only in the United States. Canada wasdominated by dry agroclimatic conditions. In the United States, excess moisturehas hampered the harvest of summer crops and the planting of winter wheat whileit also replenished soil moisture for the growth of winter crops and pasturesin spring.

Major winter wheat production zones recorded abundant rainfall inthe South Plains (RAIN: +85%, TEMP: 0.9°C), Kansas (RAIN: +35%, TEMP: 1.5°C),Oklahoma (RAIN: +99%, TEMP: 0.6°C) and Texas (RAIN: +78%, TEMP: 0.5°C). Abundantrainfall also fell in the blue grass region (+62%) and in Kentucky andTennessee (+33% and +78%, respectively). Biomass shows a 37% positive departurecompared to last five years average. The fraction of cropped arable land (CALF)was 2% above average.

Figure 2.2. North America MPZ:Agroclimatic and agronomic indicators, October 2015-January 2016