Global commodity production, area and yield estimates <br> for Grains, Oilseeds and Cotton. http://www.pecad.fas.usda.gov/ Fri, Jan 13 2006 10:38:46 Fri, Jan 13 2006 10:38:46 http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/images/2005_h1.png http://www.pecad.fas.usda.gov/ PECAD - Production Estimates and Crop Assessment Division 62 72 The USDA December estimate of 2005/06 cotton production in West Africa's "Franc Zone" is 4.76 million bales, down 120,000 bales or 2 percent from last year's record harvest of 4.89 million bales. Area is estimated at 2.44 million hectares, down slightly from last year' s 2.61 million. Farmers planted less cotton than last year due largely to low world prices, but above-average rainfall this year is forecast to boost yields to a record of 425 kilograms of lint per hectare. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/12/franc_zone Dec 21, 2005 USDA's December estimate for 2005/06 corn production in the European Union (EU) totals 46.9 million tons, down 6.4 million from last year. Although area was down 450,000 hectares from last season, the major factor affecting this year's crop was a severe but rather localized drought. The drought drastically lowered yields in two of the largest corn producing countries - France (the EU's largest) and Spain (typically ranked fourth). Meanwhile, abundant summer rain fell in Hungary, helping the EU's third largest corn producer to harvest another bumper crop, and slightly counteracting the large yield declines recorded in the Iberian Peninsula area. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/12/europe_21dec2005 Dec 21, 2005 Persistent fall dryness in Russia's key winter-grain production regions resulted in unfavorable establishment conditions for 2006/07 winter crops and likely contributed to a reduction in planted area. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/12/russia_15dec2005 Dec 15, 2005 Malaysia's national average rainfall in the third quarter of 2005 was slightly above normal. From July to September it was 214 millimeters per month compared to a normal of 200 millimeters. This level of rainfall is favorable for production that will occur in the second quarter of 2006. During the last 10 quarters, 6 quarters had below normal rainfall and 4 quarters above normal rainfall. Overall, this is expected to be moderately detrimental to palm oil yields for the next six quarters. The delayed effect of rainfall will be slightly positive from October 2005 to June 2006, and slightly negative from July 2006 to March 2007. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/11/malaysia_29nov2005 Nov 29, 2005 The USDA estimates North Korea total grain production (including corn, milled rice, wheat, and barley) at 3.64 million tons, up 150,000 tons or 4 percent from last year and the largest crop since 1994/95. The total output is comprised chiefly of nearly equal parts corn and rice, although the proportion of corn has dropped over the past 15 years due to a decline in area. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/11/korea_21nov05 Nov 22, 2005 The estimated area for Argentine soybean and sunflowers is forecast to rise for 2005/06 due to high relative prices prior to planting. Soybean area is forecast to rise to a record 15.2 million hectares this year, up from 14.4 million hectares in 2004/05. Sunflower area is forecast to increase to 2.2 million hectares, up from 1.89 million last year, but well below areas seen in the late 1990s. Corn area is forecast to drop from 2.7 million hectares in 2004/05 to 2.4 million this year. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/11/argentina_22nov2005 Nov 22, 2005 Soybean and corn planting progress throughout the country has steadily advanced during the past 6 weeks, closely tracking the typical pace achieved in the past 5 years. As of November 20th nearly 65 percent of the soybean crop and 80 percent of the summer corn crop has reportedly been sown, with rapid progress noted in most areas as weather permits. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/11/brazil_21nov2005 Nov 22, 2005 The USDA estimates China rice production for 2005/06 at 127.4 million tons (182.0 million tons, rough basis), up more than 2.0 million from last year. The estimated area of 29.0 million hectares is up 0.6 million from last year and is the highest area since 2000/01. Government incentives, including direct subsidies to rice farmers and the abolishment of agricultural taxes in most provinces, encouraged farmers to increase rice area in 2004 and 2005 after dropping to a record-low level of 26.5 million hectares in 2003. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/11/china_18nov2005 Nov 22, 2005 The USDA's November estimate for Ukraine corn production for 2005/06 is 6.5 million tons from harvested area of 1.6 million hectares. Yield is estimated at 4.06 tons per hectare -- the highest yield on record -- and harvest-progress reports from the Ministry of Agriculture indicate that final yield could climb even higher. This year's outstanding yield is chiefly the result of adequate and timely rainfall during the growing season followed by remarkably dry harvest weather. Yield also benefited from continuing gradual improvements in technology, including the increasing use of quality planting seed and modest increases in the application of mineral fertilizers and plant-protection chemicals. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/11/ukraine_14nov05 Nov 14, 2005 World durum output in 2005/06 is estimated at approximately 27 million tons, up 1.0 million tons from July's estimate, but down sharply from last year's record of 33 million tons. Major exporters, Canada, European Union (EU), and the United States combined, account for approximately 60 percent of total durum production. Their total output has decreased by nearly 20 percent this year, mostly due to smaller crops in the European Union. On September 30, the National Agricultural Statistics Service revised the United States durum production estimate upward to 2.7 million tons from their July estimate based on increased area. Yields are down in all States except North Dakota. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/10/durum_27oct2005 Oct 27, 2005 Weather during October has been largely beneficial for agriculture in Europe. It provided rain to the most precipitation deprived countries, including Spain, Portugal, and southwest France. It has also brought relief in the form of dryness to many formerly soaked countries of central and eastern Europe. Mild temperatures have aided farmers in these same eastern countries by accelerating the drying of their crops and fields. The favorable weather has allowed the late harvest to resume and the autumn planting to continue for most countries. However, the rains continue to thwart field activities in much of Romania and Bulgaria. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/10/europe_26oct05 Oct 26, 2005 Persistent dryness throughout Ukraine, beginning in August and extending into October, had a significant negative effect on the planting of 2006/07 winter grains. As of October 18, only 5.3 million hectares of winter crops had been sown compared to 7.2 million by the same date last year, according to Ministry of Agriculture data reported by the Ukrainian commodity analysis group APK-Inform. Grains typically comprise over 95 percent of total winter crops in Ukraine, and wheat accounts for about 85 percent of the winter grains. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/10/ukraine_19oct05 Oct 20, 2005 The cost of production (COP) for major agricultural commodities in Russia has increased significantly this year due primarily to higher prices for fuel and fertilizer. Personnel from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service gathered cost-of-production data during crop-assessment travel in key grain-producing regions in central and southern Russia in April 2005. The estimated production costs for wheat and other crops in Russia (Tables 1 and 2) reflect approximate costs derived chiefly from interviews with farm directors, commodity analysts, and federal and local agricultural officials, and are not based on official data. Costs for U.S. wheat (Table 1) are based on cost and return estimates from the USDA Economic Research Service. Note that the COP figures in Table 1 were obtained from different sources and that comparisons between U.S. and Russian costs should be made cautiously. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/10/russia_18oct2005 Oct 18, 2005 Could India surpass the United States and even China as the largest cotton producer in the world and if so, how will this affect U.S. cotton producers? The United States, China and India produced record crops in 2004/05, and the 2005/06 crops are not far behind. The USDA is currently forecasting India's 2005/06 cotton crop at 19 million bales and the U.S. crop at 22.7 million bales. While the majority of India's cotton is consumed domestically, the majority of the U.S. cotton crop is exported. It is unlikely, at least in the short term, that India's expanding cotton production will affect U.S. cotton producers. However, if India's cotton production continues to outpace its consumption needs, Indian cotton could begin to displace U.S. cotton in other markets. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/10/india_18oct2005 Oct 18, 2005 Bolivia is a sparsely populated landlocked nation in South America, with sizable natural resources (minerals, natural gas, forests) and agricultural land. It has a total population of approximately 8.7 million people, and a total land area of about 108 million hectares. Bolivia is nearly self-sufficient in grain production, importing only a modest quantity of wheat on an annual basis. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/10/bolivia_12oct2005 Oct 12, 2005 Persistent dryness in Ukraine and southern Russia over the past four to six weeks has resulted in significant delays in the planting of winter grains for 2006/07 and unfavorable conditions for the establishment of recently planted crops. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/09/russia_29sep2005/ Sep 29, 2005 The Foreign Agricultural Service's (FAS) Global Reservoir Monitor indicate very low lake levels in Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa and major reservoir for the Nile River. Water levels have remained above-average for more than 40-years, but current water levels are below normal and the lowest level since September, 1961. The lake typically recharges during the upcoming short rains (October-December) and long rain (February-June) seasons, but the amount of recharge this year will be dependent on upcoming seasonal rainfall amounts and if Uganda's power utility does not release too much water for power generation. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/09/uganda_26sep2005/ Sep 26, 2005 Due to a reduction in planting intentions, USDA's September forecast of Argentina's 2005/06 wheat production has been revised downward to 12.5 million tons from the August estimate of 13.5 million tons. This is a 22-percent decrease from last year's production. The harvested wheat area for 2005/06 is forecast at 5.10 million hectares, down 7 percent from last month, and down 16 percent from last year. Thus, the current yield forecast of 2.45 tons per hectare is unchanged from last month. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/09/argentina_23sep2005/ Sep 23, 2005 During July and August, wheat harvesting was frequently delayed in central and eastern Europe because of reoccurring bouts of heavy rain. The most problematic area was concentrated in the Balkan countries of Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. These countries had twice their normal monthly rainfall amounts during both July and August. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/09/europe_21sep2005/ Sep 22, 2005 Malaysia's palm oil production is strongly influenced by rainfall levels. National average rainfall in the second quarter of 2005 was 188 millimeters per month, close to the normal amount of 199.9 millimeters. This level of rainfall is favorable for palm oil production in the first quarter of 2006 as well as more distant harvests in late 2006 and 2007. This was in contrast to above-normal rainfall in the fourth quarter of 2004 and below-normal rainfall in the first quarter of 2005, which were unfavorable for future output. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/09/mypalm0509/ Sep 14, 2005 As the 2005/06 planting season approaches, it is apparent that a farm credit crisis along with a sharp decline in the profitability of soybeans will likely lead to a net reduction in sown area, ending a remarkable five-year expansion phase. The USDA September estimate for Brazilian soybean area is 22.0 million hectares, down nearly 0.9 million or 4 percent from last year. Soybean production is estimated at a record 60.0 million tons, up 9.0 million or 18 percent from last year. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/09/brazil_12sep2005/ Sep 09, 2005 The USDA August estimate for Tanzania's 2005/06 corn production is at 3.3 million tons, up 70,000 tons from last year. The 2005/06 marketing year output is forecast at a record level due to a record area of 2.97 million hectares. Yield is estimated at 1.1 tons per hectare, which is slightly below the 5-year average of 1.27 tons per hectare. Harvest was recently completed in most parts of the country but it is still ongoing in the southern and northeastern highlands where temperatures are cooler and the growing season is longer. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/09/tanzania_2005/index.htm Sep 01, 2005 The USDA August estimate for Kenya's total 2005/06 corn production is 2.8 million tons, up 800,000 tons from last year's poor harvest. The increase is attributed to better yields than last year in Kenya's northern grain basket and an increase in national corn area to 1.750 million hectares due chiefly to high local prices for the past two years and good rains at the start of the season. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/09/Kenya_2005/index.htm Sep 01, 2005 A joint mission between the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and the USAID FEWS NET Project conducted a crop tour in Kenya and northeastern Tanzania from June 23-July 5, 2005. The purpose of the crop tour was to assess current crop conditions, collect ancillary data from local industry sources, and validate several operational crop models currently used by FEWS NET and USDA/FAS analysts. Digital photos and spatial model images from this year's crop tour are presented at WRSI Relative Yield Model Compared to Ground Conditions and "2005 Kenya-Tanzania Crop Tour Pictures". In addition, recent Kenya and Tanzania corn production estimates derived from the 2005 crop tour are described in the PECAD articles titled, "Record Corn Area Increases Production in Tanzania" and Kenya's Corn Production Greater than Last Year. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/09/croptour_2005/index.htm Sep 01, 2005 Of most concern in Canadian agriculture this growing season has been excessive moisture across the Prairies, especially in southern Manitoba, southwestern Alberta, and in scattered areas across Saskatchewan. Of all the provinces, Manitoba has suffered the most; flooding has contributed to delayed planting,a decrease in total planted area, and a likely reduction in crop yield. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/08/Canada_Aug2005/index.htm Aug 24, 2005 The USDA August estimate for 2005/06 Russia wheat production is 47.0 million tons, unchanged from last month and up 1.7 million from last year. Area is estimated at 25.5 million hectares, up 1.3 million from last year. Barley output is estimated at 16.5 million tons, unchanged from last month and down 0.7 million from last year. Estimated area is down 0.4 million hectares, to 9.6 million. An increase in the sown area of winter grains (chiefly wheat) is forecast to compensate for a slight reduction in yield, and harvest prospects in the spring wheat region are similar to last year. Total grain production is forecast to remain essentially stable at an estimated 77.9 million tons. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/08/russia_17aug05/ Aug 18, 2005 The USDA August estimate for 2005/06 Ukraine wheat production is 18.6 million tons against 17.5 million last year. The year-to-year increase is attributed to a 13-percent increase in area. Barley production, meanwhile, is forecast to drop by nearly 25 percent, to 8.5 million tons, due chiefly to hot, dry May weather that reduced yield in key production regions. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/08/Ukraine_12aug05/index.htm Aug 11, 2005 Unusually heavy rain caused significant flooding and economic losses in southern China in June. By early July, the heavy rain had moved north of the Yangtze River and caused additional flooding in Henan, Anhui, and Jiangsu provinces. The weather became increasingly hot and dry in the southeast and in the Yangtze River valley during July, but Typhoon Haitang brought beneficial rain and cooler temperatures. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/07/chinajuly05/ Aug 02, 2005 India's major soybean growing areas endured an extended dry period that delayed the start of the planting season. The central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh accounts for nearly 70 per cent of the country's total soybean output. Dry conditions in this state during most of June generated concern in the oilseed industry. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/07/in_soybean/in_soy200507.htm Aug 02, 2005 USDA's July estimates for the 2005/06 Balkan wheat crop is 11.7 million tons, 19 percent below last year's record crop. Harvested area is estimated at 4.1 million hectares, down slightly from last month but up 5 percent from last season. Yield is forecast at 2.85 tons/ha, down ten percent from last month and down twenty-three percent from last year, but very similar to the five-year average. This year's wheat crop has not benefited from the nearly optimal weather last year that had pushed 2004/05 yields to a record 3.71 tons/ha. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/07/europe/july05/balkansjuly05.htm Jul 19, 2005 USDA's July estimate of the 2005/06 European Union (EU) wheat crop is 127.8 million tons, up 1.1 million tons from last month, but 6.5 percent below last year's record crop. Harvested area is estimated at 22.8 million hectares, down 2 percent from last season and unchanged from last month. Yield is forecast at 5.62 tons/ha, 5 percent above the five-year average, but below last year's record 5.88 tons/ha. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/07/europe/july05/eujuly05.htm Jul 19, 2005 World durum output in 2005/06 is estimated at approximately 26 million tons, down sharply from last year's record of around 33 million. Drought in the European Union and Northwest Africa, which account for more than half of global import demand, have been the major contributors to the shrinkage in global output. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/07/durum2005/ Jul 13, 2005 Venezuela's innate agricultural production capacity far exceeds current output levels given the vast untapped land and water resources that exist in the central Orinoco plain and in the lowlands of the southern state of Amazonas. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2005/07/July2005/Venezuela_Jul05.htm Jul 12, 2005 Unusually high yields for Malaysian palm oil in the months from November 2004, May 2005 were not presaged by rainfall analysis. Analysis of rainfall indicated slightly below trend yields should have been attained in the months November through March. Rainfall analysis also indicated that above-trend yields should have occurred in April and May, but not to the extent that they occurred. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/06/palm_23June05/index.htm Jun 24, 2005 The USDA estimates Ukraine wheat production for 2005/06 at 16.7 million tons (against 17.5 million in 2004/05) from an estimated area of 6.3 (5.9) million hectares. Barley production is estimated at 8.0 (11.1) million tons, down 1.0 million from last month due to likely significant stress on yield caused by hot, dry weather in eastern Ukraine. Barley area is estimated at 4.0 (4.5) million hectares. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/06/ukr_10June05/ Jun 10, 2005 The USDA estimates Ukraine sunflowerseed production for 2005/06 at 4.0 million tons, up 30 percent from last year when persistently wet weather reduced yield. Russian production is estimated at 4.8 million tons, roughly the same as last year. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/06/rsukr_sunseed_10June05/ Jun 10, 2005 Brazil's robust recent agricultural expansion is expected to cool somewhat this year as high production costs, depressed commodity prices, and a strengthening domestic currency take a collective toll on farmer's financial returns. USDA currently estimates Brazil's 2005/06 total grain, oilseed and cotton area at 44.7 million hectares, up only 2 percent from last year's record level. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/06/br_10June05/Brazil_crop_jun05.htm Jun 10, 2005 The USDA estimates Ukraine wheat production for 2005/06 at 16.7 million tons (against 17.5 million in 2004/05) from an estimated area of 6.3 (5.9) million hectares. Barley production is estimated at 8.0 (11.1) million tons, down 1.0 million from last month due to likely significant stress on yield caused by hot, dry weather in eastern Ukraine. Barley area is estimated at 4.0 (4.5) million hectares. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/06/ukr_10June05/ Jun 10, 2005 The USDA estimates Ukraine sunflowerseed production for 2005/06 at 4.0 million tons, up 30 percent from last year when persistently wet weather reduced yield. Russian production is estimated at 4.8 million tons, roughly the same as last year. Analysts and agricultural attaches from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service conducted field travel in Ukraine and Russia during April to examine planting progress and early-season production prospects for sunflowerseed. The team met with agricultural officials, farm directors, and independent commodity analysts in the key sunflower regions in eastern Ukraine and southern Russia, and with officials and analysts in Kyiv and Moscow. (Previous reports describing 2005/06 grain-production prospects in Ukraine and Russia are available at PECAD Online.) http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/06/rsukr_sunseed_10June05/ Jun 10, 2005 Brazil's robust recent agricultural expansion is expected to cool somewhat this year as high production costs, depressed commodity prices, and a strengthening domestic currency take a collective toll on farmer's financial returns. USDA currently estimates Brazil's 2005/06 total grain, oilseed and cotton area at 44.7 million hectares, up only 2 percent from last year's record level. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/06/br_10June05/Brazil_crop_jun05.htm Jun 10, 2005 Satellite-derived vegetative indices (NDVI) indicate outstanding crop conditions as of May 20 in Russia's Southern and southern Central Districts, two key areas in Russia's prime winter wheat zone. Winter-crop development accelerated in April, following a slow start-up due to low March temperatures, and winter grains continued to benefit from favorable weather in May. Although recent dry weather has reduced topsoil moisture, subsurface reserves are adequate for winter grains in all main production regions. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/06/RS_01June05/ Jun 06, 2005 Satellite-derived vegetative indices (NDVI) indicate outstanding crop conditions as of May 20 in Russia's Southern and southern Central Districts, two key areas in Russia's prime winter wheat zone. Winter-crop development accelerated in April, following a slow start-up due to low March temperatures, and winter grains continued to benefit from favorable weather in May. Although recent dry weather has reduced topsoil moisture, subsurface reserves are adequate for winter grains in all main production regions. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/06/RS_01June05/ Jun 01, 2005 Analysts from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service conducted field travel in southern Russia during April to assess production prospects for winter grains and planting progress for early spring grains. The team met with agricultural officials, farm directors, and independent commodity analysts in Moscow, the Southern District, and the southern Central District to examine the likely effects of unusually mild winter weather and a cool, late spring. Winter wheat conditions are good in the Southern District, the country's prime winter wheat region, and generally favorable in the Central District although winter-crop development was delayed by periods of cool spring weather. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/05/RS%5F24May05/ May 25, 2005 According to the USDA's May release, the European Union's (EU-25) wheat crop is forecast to be down from last year's record production level of 136.7 million tons, to about 127.5 million. Yield is also forecast to drop from last year's record high of 5.88 tons/ha, to about 5.6 tons/ha. Planted area is expected to be at the five-year average of 22.8 million hectares. These changes will bring the 2005/06 crop more in-line with the EU's overall yield trend, so that even though 2005/06 wheat production is forecasted down 9 million tons from last year, the crop remains on track to be a large, bumper harvest. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/05/may05/index.htm May 18, 2005 Analysts from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service conducted field travel during April to assess production prospects for winter and early spring grains. The team met with agricultural officials, farm directors, and independent commodity analysts in central and eastern Ukraine to examine the crop impact of unusually mild winter weather and a cool, late spring spring. Winter wheat prospects remain generally favorable. Although winter-crop development is slightly behind normal, yield typically hinges largely on May weather. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/05/ukr_13may05/ May 12, 2005 China's 2005/06 cotton production is forecast at 25.5 million bales (5.55 million tons), down 12 percent from last year's record crop. Area is forecast at 4.8 million hectares, down more than 15 percent from a year ago in response to lower profits from cotton farming. The forecast yield of 1156 kilograms per hectare is up 4 percent from last year and will be the second-highest yield on record if achieved. The yield forecast assumes normal weather for crop development and matches the long-term trend. (This is the first year that USDA has published its initial China cotton production forecast in May). http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/05/cottonmay05/cotton.htm May 12, 2005 Analysts from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service traveled to the states of Haryana and Rajasthan in March 2005. The Indian rapeseed crop is grown during the winter or Rabi season. The Indian rapeseed crop, planted in November 2004, has benefited from seasonably favorable weather. The mostly rainfed crops in Rajasthan and Haryana produce one half of India 's rapeseed. The majority of the rapeseed will be harvested in late March into April and corresponds to the USDA Marketing Year (MY) 2004/05. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/04/in_rapeseed/triprapeseed.htm Apr 18, 2005 Could India surpass the United States as the second largest cotton producer behind China? Both the United States and India are forecast to produce record cotton crops in 2004/05 with 23.1 million and 18 million bales respectively. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/04/india_web_update.pdf Apr 15, 2005 The provinces of Buenos Aires and Santa Fe are major corn and soybean producers. In particular, for corn, northern Buenos Aires and southern Santa Fe are the higher yielding regions. Corn and soybean production in these regions, account for thirty percent, each, of the national output. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/04/argentina_crop_0405.pdf Apr 15, 2005 Analysts from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service traveled to the states of Punjab and Haryana in March 2005. The Indian wheat crop, planted in November 2004, has benefited from seasonably favorable weather. The majority of the wheat will be harvested in late April through early May and corresponds to the USDA Marketing Year (MY) 2005/06. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/04/in_wheat/tripwheat.htm Apr 14, 2005 Yield Prospects are Good. China's 2005/06 winter wheat crop was planted in September/October 2004 and will be harvested in May/June 2005. The weather this season has been favorable and yield prospects are very good. Rainfall since September 2004 has been close to normal on the North China Plain, where more than 70 percent of the winter wheat crop is grown. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/04/wheat05/ Apr 14, 2005 Two analysts from USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) traveled throughout South Africa's corn-belt from February 21-25, 2005. The purpose of the tour was to assess the current crop conditions, validate two operational crop models developed by USAID's FEWS NET Project, and collect ancillary data from local industry sources. The crop has now reached grain-filling stage and harvesting will begin this month. No major pests or disease problems were reported or observed during the crop travel in late February. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/04/south_africa/saf_travel_mar05.htm Apr 12, 2005 USDA's April estimate for South Africa's 2004/05 corn production is 11.5 million tons, up 0.5 million tons from last month and up 1.8 million from last year's crop. Harvested corn area is estimated at 3.5 million hectares, unchanged from last month and comprised of 3.05 million hectares in the commercial sector and 450,000 hectares in the developing sector. The estimated yield of 3.29 MT/Ha is near the record yield of 3.31 MT/Ha and above the 10-yield trend yield of 3.06 MT/Ha. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/04/south_africa/ Apr 12, 2005 The state of Rio Grande do Sul has the fourth largest per capita income in Brazil, which amounts to approximately 4,500 U.S. dollars per inhabitant. This state of 10 million people is richly diverse with ethnic backgrounds from Portugal, Spain, Africa, Germany, Italy and Poland, that now constitute the contemporary gaucho (the typical ranchers and farmers that colonized the state). http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/03/brazilmar2005/ Mar 31, 2005 Widespread precipitation finally arrived to Spain and Portugal at the end of March, providing some relief to the EU's most water-stressed, agricultural region. The rain temporarily alleviated a season-long drought, that has been on-going since planting last fall. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/03/March05b/europewinter05.htm Mar 31, 2005 Unseasonably cool March weather and persistent snow cover are contributing to significant delays in Ukraine's spring sowing campaign. According to Ministry of Agriculture data, fewer than 100,000 hectares of early spring grains (chiefly barley) were planted by March 23 compared to nearly 2 million hectares sown by the same date last year. Warm and dry weather in early April would enable farmers to compensate to some degree for the late start -- although field work is hampered by a chronic shortage of grain drills and tractors -- but many fields will be planted beyond the optimum date regardless of April weather. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/03/ukr_01apr05/ Mar 30, 2005 Drought conditions currently exist in many parts of Southeast Asia, particularly in Indochina[Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, and Laos]. The drought has stressed rice, coffee, sugar, and other crops in the region and sharply lowered the supply of water for drinking and irrigation. The largest crop losses have been reported in Thailand, but the drought has also damaged crops in southern China, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/03/sedrought/seasiadrought.htm Mar 24, 2005 Vietnam is expected to produce a record rice crop in 2004/05 despite periods of drought and flooding during the growing season. Milled rice production for 2004/05 is estimated at a record 22.1 million tons (33.5 million tons, rough basis), up slightly from last year (USDA, March estimate). Harvested area is estimated at 7.46 million hectares, essentially unchanged from a year ago. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/03/Vietnam%20Rice/vietrice.htm Mar 23, 2005 A team of analysts from USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) traveled through the central Argentine crop region during February 2005 to assess crop conditions for corn and soybeans. Argentine 2004/05 corn production is estimated at a record 19.5 million tons, up 30 percent from last year and soybean production is also a record - 39 million tons, up 18 percent from last year. Record corn yields of 7.22 tons per hectare and near record soybean yields of 2.71 tons per hectare are estimated. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/03/Argentina/index.htm Mar 17, 2005 Average wheat output in Kazakhstan is lower than during Soviet times because of a 30-year decline in sown area, but yields have shown signs of improvement in recent years thanks in part to a modest but steady rebound in State subsidies to Kazakhstan's agricultural sector. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/03/Kazakh_Ag/index.htm Mar 17, 2005 Light to moderate showers covered southeast China at the end of February and the first week of March, bringing vital moisture to a region that had been suffering from perhaps the worst drought in 50 years. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/03/China%20Drought/Chinadrought.htm Mar 10, 2005 Soybean and corn estimates fall in response to drought. The USDA currently estimates Brazil's soybean production in 2004/05 at a record 59.0 million tons, down 4.0 million from last month owing to worsening drought conditions in southern producing states. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/03/BrazilSoy/index.htm Mar 10, 2005 The Russian agricultural sector is struggling to rebuild as it transforms itself from a command economy to a more market-oriented system. Following the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, large State farms had to contend with the sudden loss of heavy government subsidies. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/03/Russia_Ag/index.htm Mar 10, 2005 Significant late-February rainfall reversed persistent dryness for winter grains in Morocco, but additional rainfall is needed to fully replenish depleted soil moisture reserves. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/03/NAfrica/index.htm Mar 02, 2005 Above-average yield during the fourth quarter of 2004 boosted the MRRM model yield projection for 2004/05 to 4.0 tons per hectare. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/03/maypalm/pecad_blue_template.htm Mar 01, 2005 (PDF) Many factors, including lower prices for the 2004/05 crop, are expected to cause lower cotton area in 2005/06. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/02/Foreign%20Cotton%20Area%20and%20Production%20for%2 Feb 28, 2005 Timely snowfall protected Ukraine winter grains from frost damage during a brief cold snap in early February, and crops remain in generally good condition. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/02/ukr_15feb05/index.htm Feb 16, 2005 Spain and Portugal continue to be the exceptions in the overall, favorable-weather pattern that has existed in the European Union (EU) since planting last autumn. The normal "rainy season" failed to materialize in Spain and Portugal as stationary, high-pressure blocked approaching, rain-producing systems almost all season. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/02/feb05/index.htm Feb 15, 2005 The USDA estimates Kazakhstan wheat production for 2004/05 at 9.95 million tons against 11.50 million last season. Area grew slightly from last year, to 11.8 million hectares, but yield was nearly 25 percent below average following drought in the country's key wheat producing region. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/02/Kaz_09feb05/index.htm Feb 09, 2005 Tanzania's 2004/05 cotton production is estimated at a record of 500,000 bales, up 265,000 bales from last year. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/01/tanzania/index.htm Jan 28, 2005 The Fischer-Tropsch process invented by German coal researchers in 1923, but brought up to date could possibly, in the next ten years, utilize one million hectares of Germany's agricultural land to produce 4 million tons of synthetic diesel fuel and replace 13 percent of Germany's current diesel use. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/01/btl0104/syntheticdiesel.htm Jan 25, 2005 During the last quarter of 2004 and into 2005 winter grains in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia emerged and developed with beneficial soil moisture. Precipitation has been widespread and well-timed throughout the agricultural areas. The best crop conditions in Northwest Africa appear to be in the important grain-producing area of central Morocco. http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2005/01/nw_africa/index.htm Jan 19, 2005