Latest news with #CropWatch
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
What to make of surprisingly low US crop ratings: Braun
(The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a market analyst for Reuters.) NAPERVILLE, Illinois - The U.S. corn crop has gotten off to a somewhat disappointing start in what is supposed to be a record producing season. Meanwhile, U.S. spring wheat is experiencing its second-worst start to the growing season in history after this year's plantings dropped to a 55-year low. What might these early figures mean for the growing season overall? How do they compare with past years? And where are the problem spots and near-term prospects for improvement? SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday afternoon rated 68% of the U.S. corn crop in good-to-excellent (GE) condition in this season's initial rating, marking the lowest starting health since 2019. That was well below analysts' average estimate of 73% GE, though initial condition reports from the Crop Watch producers over the weekend averaged out to a six-year low, at least. A 68% GE is not all that bad. On average over the last three years, the initial U.S. corn score comes in around 72%. Additionally, the slower start may be explainable. The unanimous feedback from the Crop Watch producers was that it has been too cold, cloudy and rainy, and the plants are not growing quickly. Hail, frosts, wind, rain and even a period of excessive heat recently stressed crops in the western Corn Belt, which was reported by Crop Watchers. This showed up in USDA's data on Tuesday. Averaging initial corn conditions by state over the past three years, North Dakota and Ohio stand out. North Dakota at 48% GE is 24 percentage points below average and Ohio's 41% is 37 points below. Conditions in top producer Iowa are 4 percentage points ahead of normal, Illinois is 7 points behind, South Dakota is down 16 points, Nebraska is down 2 points and Minnesota is 4 points behind. OK OUTLOOK? Three factors may help ease any concerns about current U.S. corn crop health. The corn crop is only two-thirds emerged nationally, a lower-than-usual portion to coincide with the first condition scores. This allows for some play in the near-term figures, as newly emerged crops, if in good shape, could boost the overall score next week. Although not necessarily unusual, less than 40% of corn in Ohio and North Dakota was emerged as of Sunday, possibly allowing for future improvement. All Crop Watch producers last weekend expressed the dire need for heat and sun, and that should start arriving over the weekend after this week finishes out on the cooler, cloudy side. The pattern might not necessarily be long-lasting, but even a short, warm, sunny spell in early June can go a long way for early crop growth. U.S. corn was initially rated 65% GE in 2017, and calculations at the time pointed to near or below-trend yield probabilities. This caused the market to misjudge the crop potential all year, and the 2017 corn crop achieved a new record yield. The 2017 crop was rated 60% GE by the end of July, not too huge of a change from the initial. So even though 60% would not be considered stellar by itself, the lack of large rating swings that season may have been telling. WHEAT WOES U.S. spring wheat was rated 45% GE as of Sunday, tied with 2021 as the second-lowest initial rating over the 40-year history. The worst was 34% in 1988. Those two years are bad company, as they featured well-below-trend U.S. spring wheat yields as both seasons included drought. The 2025 crop is already starting in the hole as U.S. farmers intend to plant their smallest spring wheat area since 1970. Some 60% of U.S. spring wheat was emerged by Sunday, comparable to 66% on the same date in 2021. North Dakota, which produces half of the U.S. spring wheat crop, must remain on watch as only 37% of the wheat there is GE and 26% is considered poor or very poor. Recent cold and wet weather has battered the young wheat crop, so the coming flip to better weather may offer improvement opportunities. Market analysts had expected the initial spring wheat conditions to come in at 71% GE, so the result was much more shocking than the one for corn. But the lighter figures for both certainly set up the potential for market scares this summer if an unfavorable weather pattern were to set in. Karen Braun is a market analyst for Reuters. Views expressed above are her own. (Writing by Karen Braun Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Reuters
3 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
What to make of surprisingly low US crop ratings: Braun
NAPERVILLE, Illinois, May 28 (Reuters) - The U.S. corn crop has gotten off to a somewhat disappointing start in what is supposed to be a record producing season. Meanwhile, U.S. spring wheat is experiencing its second-worst start to the growing season in history after this year's plantings dropped to a 55-year low. What might these early figures mean for the growing season overall? How do they compare with past years? And where are the problem spots and near-term prospects for improvement? The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday afternoon rated 68% of the U.S. corn crop in good-to-excellent (GE) condition in this season's initial rating, marking the lowest starting health since 2019. That was well below analysts' average estimate of 73% GE, though initial condition reports from the Crop Watch producers, opens new tab over the weekend averaged out to a six-year low, at least. A 68% GE is not all that bad. On average over the last three years, the initial U.S. corn score comes in around 72%. Additionally, the slower start may be explainable. The unanimous feedback from the Crop Watch producers was that it has been too cold, cloudy and rainy, and the plants are not growing quickly. Hail, frosts, wind, rain and even a period of excessive heat recently stressed crops in the western Corn Belt, which was reported by Crop Watchers. This showed up in USDA's data on Tuesday. Averaging initial corn conditions by state over the past three years, North Dakota and Ohio stand out. North Dakota at 48% GE is 24 percentage points below average and Ohio's 41% is 37 points below. Conditions in top producer Iowa are 4 percentage points ahead of normal, Illinois is 7 points behind, South Dakota is down 16 points, Nebraska is down 2 points and Minnesota is 4 points behind. Three factors may help ease any concerns about current U.S. corn crop health. The corn crop is only two-thirds emerged nationally, a lower-than-usual portion to coincide with the first condition scores. This allows for some play in the near-term figures, as newly emerged crops, if in good shape, could boost the overall score next week. Although not necessarily unusual, less than 40% of corn in Ohio and North Dakota was emerged as of Sunday, possibly allowing for future improvement. All Crop Watch producers last weekend expressed the dire need for heat and sun, and that should start arriving over the weekend after this week finishes out on the cooler, cloudy side. The pattern might not necessarily be long-lasting, but even a short, warm, sunny spell in early June can go a long way for early crop growth. U.S. corn was initially rated 65% GE in 2017, and calculations at the time pointed to near or below-trend yield probabilities. This caused the market to misjudge the crop potential all year, and the 2017 corn crop achieved a new record yield. The 2017 crop was rated 60% GE by the end of July, not too huge of a change from the initial. So even though 60% would not be considered stellar by itself, the lack of large rating swings that season may have been telling. U.S. spring wheat was rated 45% GE as of Sunday, tied with 2021 as the second-lowest initial rating over the 40-year history. The worst was 34% in 1988. Those two years are bad company, as they featured well-below-trend U.S. spring wheat yields as both seasons included drought. The 2025 crop is already starting in the hole as U.S. farmers intend to plant their smallest spring wheat area since 1970. Some 60% of U.S. spring wheat was emerged by Sunday, comparable to 66% on the same date in 2021. North Dakota, which produces half of the U.S. spring wheat crop, must remain on watch as only 37% of the wheat there is GE and 26% is considered poor or very poor. Recent cold and wet weather has battered the young wheat crop, so the coming flip to better weather may offer improvement opportunities. Market analysts had expected the initial spring wheat conditions to come in at 71% GE, so the result was much more shocking than the one for corn. But the lighter figures for both certainly set up the potential for market scares this summer if an unfavorable weather pattern were to set in. Karen Braun is a market analyst for Reuters. Views expressed above are her own.
The Star
25-04-2025
- Science
- The Star
China strengthens space technology cooperation with Global South nations
BEIJING (Xinhua): In the second week of April, Lusaka became a hub of agricultural innovation as technicians from Southern African countries gathered for a unique three-day training session. Unlike typical workshops, this one provided a customized experience. Participants brought data from their own countries and practiced on the satellite remote sensing agricultural monitoring platform developed by Chinese scientists, tailoring their learning to fit local needs. This exemplified China's increasing collaboration with Global South countries in space technology -- not merely through memorandums or broad agreements, but by translating cutting-edge innovation into tangible, real-world applications. CALLING EARTH The platform they learned is CropWatch, a cloud-based tool developed by the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It analyzes agroclimatic conditions, assesses crop growth status, tracks the dynamics of cropland use, estimates crop areas, predicts yields, and evaluates global food supply prospects. "Food security is increasingly a global priority, but establishing satellite-based platforms for agriculture monitoring requires significant investment, which most developing countries simply cannot afford," said Zhang Miao, a workshop trainer from the AIR. He had just flown back from Lusaka when interviewed by Xinhua. Unlike the traditional Western approach of delivering ready-made crop-related information and reports, the Chinese team has embraced a collaborative model with Global South countries -- "teaching a man to fish" by empowering them through knowledge transfer and platform self-customization. Over 30 participants from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mauritius and South Africa received one-on-one guidance in the training. "A customized approach acknowledges the specific context and challenges faced by Mozambicans," said Hiten Jantilal, an officer of the Crops and Early Warning Department in Mozambique. "This method can lead to more effective learning and better outcomes." "Africa's cropping system is quite different from China, especially the small-holder farming, with issues like widespread weeds and common mixed cropping," said Zhang. "Our platform has proven effective in addressing these challenges." The AIR team has incorporated advanced AI models, including DeepSeek and ChatGPT, into the mobile APPs and a CropWatch Analysis component. This upgrade enables more intelligent interpretation of in situ crop photos and remote sensing maps and products, significantly enhancing the precision and efficiency of satellite data analysis. According to Zhang, these field-collected data, numbering in the millions, not only support the crop monitoring in CropWatch but also contribute to partner countries for internal applications. CropWatch is now used in over 20 Global South countries, including Mozambique, Mongolia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kyrgyzstan. PUBLIC BENEFITS In a heartwarming video taken last June, an elderly woman at a Rayong care home in Thailand sat in bed, chatting via real-time video with a local rehab specialist via a test terminal at Mahanakorn University of Technology in Bangkok, which was linked to the eight-satellite experimental constellation built by the Chinese space firm GalaxySpace. The seamless high-speed video stream showcased the power of real-time mobile-to-satellite communication in Thailand's remote areas, where traditional networks are unreliable. "It will further enhance Thailand's capacity building in aerospace technology and applications," said Suphongsa Khetkeeree, a scientist from the satellite research lab at the University. In February this year, GalaxySpace signed a Memorandum of Understanding with True Corporation, a major Thai telecommunications operator, to collaborate in areas such as the Starlink-like low-orbit satellite communication technology. "We are thrilled that this collaboration will bring cutting-edge innovative technologies to Thai consumers," said Manat Manavutiveth, CEO of True Corporation. The Beijing-based satellite manufacturer is now actively forging partnerships across Africa and Southeast Asia to deploy cutting-edge satellite internet technology to empower underserved local communities. Moreover, China's commercial satellite constellation, Spacesail, is set to provide satellite communication services to Brazil and broadband internet access to the country's remote and underserved regions. Spacesail is a low-Earth orbit constellation with full frequency bands and a multi-layer and multi-orbit design. Its commercial network construction was officially launched last August. The constellation is expected to bring its commercial services to Brazil in 2026. At a space city in Egypt, the ground station for MISRSAT-2 featured a prominent white dome with a red emblem of Chinese aid. Launched from China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on December 4, 2023, MISRSAT-2 made Egypt the first African nation with full satellite assembly and testing capabilities. Haitham Medhat Akah, a program manager from the Egyptian Space Agency, said that the MISRSAT-2 project helped Egypt become a leader in the field of space satellites in Africa and the Middle East. The satellite is now playing an important role in areas such as agriculture, mineral exploration, urban planning, and monitoring changes along the coastline. In Sriracha, Thailand, Atipat Wattanuntachai, a mechanical engineer, pointed to a Chinese-made vibration testing machine designed to evaluate the country's earth observation satellite THEOS-2's performance and reliability. "Thanks to China's support for Thailand in the space technology field, the cooperation with China has promoted the rapid development of Thailand's space industry," Atipat said. Such collaboration has expanded to deep space exploration. Previously, only spacefaring powers had invested in these curiosity-driven activities. China has invited scientists from Nicaragua, Indonesia and Senegal to join a planned lunar research station project. China has also announced plans to select and train two Pakistani astronauts for space missions, with one set to serve as a payload specialist on a future flight to the Chinese space station. - Xinhua
Zawya
25-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Crop Watch: Trade war jitters may add some corn acres
(The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a market analyst for Reuters.) NAPERVILLE, Illinois - Back for their eighth edition, the U.S. Crop Watch producers are off to their quickest-ever start on planting their corn and soybean fields. However, trade conflicts with top U.S. soybean and sorghum buyer China have a couple of farmers adding a bit more corn than originally planned. Crop Watch follows 11 corn and 11 soybean fields across nine U.S. states, including two each in Iowa and Illinois. This is the project's eighth consecutive year, featuring the same producers and locations. In 2021, Crop Watch was expanded to 11 producers from eight previously. As of Thursday, nine of the 22 Crop Watch fields were planted, the most for the date since the 11-field format began. That includes five corn and four soybean fields. However, that pace may briefly stall out because some producers are waiting for topsoil to dry out after recent rains. The next batch of Crop Watch plantings is targeted for next week. LITTLE MORE CORN Relatively low soybean prices already have U.S. farmers planning to ditch soybean acres at the steepest year-on-year rate in 18 years. Recently escalating trade tensions between Washington and Beijing have added extra acreage confusion in areas of the Corn Belt that are less locked in to corn-soybean rotations. Within the last two months, the North Dakota Crop Watch producer has switched some soybean acres over to corn and barley, and the Kansas producer replaced some sorghum acres with corn. In addition to poor Chinese demand, domestic sorghum demand has also lagged. Only one other producer noted the addition of a few more corn acres than previously expected, but this is unrelated to the trade war. The remaining eight growers did not change acreage plans. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's March survey revealed farmers' intentions to plant 95.3 million acres of corn this year, a 12-year high. Many market participants have been bracing for even larger corn acres, potentially at the expense of soybeans. PLANTING PACE As of Thursday, four of the producers reported normal planting paces in their areas, three said normal-to-fast, and two reported normal-to-slow. Dryness in South Dakota has facilitated a quick pace there, but excessive rains in southeastern Illinois have put fieldwork notably behind schedule. USDA estimates that 12% of U.S. corn was planted as of Sunday, similar to the previous two years and slightly ahead of the five-year average. Soybeans at 8% planted were ahead of normal. LOOKING AHEAD The Crop Watch producers were asked about their biggest concerns ahead of the 2025 growing season, and the top issue was abundantly clear: weather. With production costs mostly steady on the year, lower commodity prices mean that growers need big yields to help them turn a profit. This requires favorable summer weather, though a handful of areas have been dry over the longer-term despite recent showers. Some forecasts have called for potential drought conditions this summer, primarily focused on the western Corn Belt. The western Crop Watch growers report soils are mostly dry right now, making for good planting conditions but raising some background concern. Uncertain U.S. trade policy has also been a source of unease for some Crop Watch producers, but the primary focus is on maximizing their own output. Weekly Crop Watch reports, which include crop ratings, weather updates and photos, will begin after the subject fields have emerged. Producers will continue to provide commentary on any upcoming shifts in the U.S. agricultural markets, especially if any new trade or biofuel policies emerge. Karen Braun is a market analyst for Reuters. Views expressed above are her own. (Writing by Karen Braun Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Reuters
24-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Crop Watch: Trade war jitters may add some corn acres -Braun
NAPERVILLE, Illinois, April 24 (Reuters) - Back for their eighth edition, the U.S. Crop Watch producers are off to their quickest-ever start on planting their corn and soybean fields. However, trade conflicts with top U.S. soybean and sorghum buyer China have a couple of farmers adding a bit more corn than originally planned. here. Crop Watch follows 11 corn and 11 soybean fields across nine U.S. states, including two each in Iowa and Illinois. This is the project's eighth consecutive year, featuring the same producers and locations. In 2021, Crop Watch was expanded to 11 producers from eight previously. As of Thursday, nine of the 22 Crop Watch fields were planted, the most for the date since the 11-field format began. That includes five corn and four soybean fields. However, that pace may briefly stall out because some producers are waiting for topsoil to dry out after recent rains. The next batch of Crop Watch plantings is targeted for next week. LITTLE MORE CORN Relatively low soybean prices already have U.S. farmers planning to ditch soybean acres at the steepest year-on-year rate in 18 years. Recently escalating trade tensions between Washington and Beijing have added extra acreage confusion in areas of the Corn Belt that are less locked in to corn-soybean rotations. Within the last two months, the North Dakota Crop Watch producer has switched some soybean acres over to corn and barley, and the Kansas producer replaced some sorghum acres with corn. In addition to poor Chinese demand, domestic sorghum demand has also lagged. Only one other producer noted the addition of a few more corn acres than previously expected, but this is unrelated to the trade war. The remaining eight growers did not change acreage plans. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's March survey revealed farmers' intentions to plant 95.3 million acres of corn this year, a 12-year high. Many market participants have been bracing for even larger corn acres, potentially at the expense of soybeans. PLANTING PACE As of Thursday, four of the producers reported normal planting paces in their areas, three said normal-to-fast, and two reported normal-to-slow. Dryness in South Dakota has facilitated a quick pace there, but excessive rains in southeastern Illinois have put fieldwork notably behind schedule. USDA estimates that 12% of U.S. corn was planted as of Sunday, similar to the previous two years and slightly ahead of the five-year average. Soybeans at 8% planted were ahead of normal. LOOKING AHEAD The Crop Watch producers were asked about their biggest concerns ahead of the 2025 growing season, and the top issue was abundantly clear: weather. With production costs mostly steady on the year, lower commodity prices mean that growers need big yields to help them turn a profit. This requires favorable summer weather, though a handful of areas have been dry over the longer-term despite recent showers. Some forecasts have called for potential drought conditions this summer, primarily focused on the western Corn Belt. The western Crop Watch growers report soils are mostly dry right now, making for good planting conditions but raising some background concern. Uncertain U.S. trade policy has also been a source of unease for some Crop Watch producers, but the primary focus is on maximizing their own output. Weekly Crop Watch reports, which include crop ratings, weather updates and photos, will begin after the subject fields have emerged. Producers will continue to provide commentary on any upcoming shifts in the U.S. agricultural markets, especially if any new trade or biofuel policies emerge. Karen Braun is a market analyst for Reuters. Views expressed above are her own. Opinions expressed are those of the author. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.
