Drought In U.S. Plains May Support Wheat

 | Mar 18, 2016 09:27AM ET

Drought in US plains may support wheat

Wheat prices were rising recently on cold weather forecast which could damage crops in US western wheat areas. Dry weather conditions expected in coming weeks in US plains may provide additional support for wheat. Will the wheat price continue upward correction following the forecasts?

Wheat prices had been rising recently on forecasts of freezing weather across the US plains by the end of this week. While temperatures are still expected to fall below freezing level, the revised forecasts indicate cold weather will not cause a significant damage in western wheat areas. At the same time a farmer sowing intentions survey by Allendale, Illinois trader, showed total wheat plantings at 51.77m acres, a decline year-over-year. The US Department of Agriculture planting survey, which will provide actual data for US wheat crop projections, is due at the end of this month. MDA Weather Services forecasts the southern US plains should stay drier than normal through June, potentially stressing the region's hard red winter wheat crop and providing support for wheat. And US Drought Monitor showed that one-third of Oklahoma was abnormally dry as of March 8, up from 21% a week earlier and dryness expanded last week in Kansas, Texas and Colorado as well. MDA Weather Services expects dry weather in Plains will likely be one of the more significant issues in coming weeks.