Soil Conditions Improve For Portions Of South Africa
Kansas City, November 14 (World Weather Inc.) – Timely rain was reported in several production regions of South Africa during the past week. The rainfall helped bolster soil moisture throughout the main production region with the exception of Limpopo where dryness remains most extensive. Even with the recent rainfall, some areas in South Africa are still too dry to promote planting, germination and early crop development, but much improved conditions were noted in many other areas. Northern production regions need the most rain to support planting. Less rainfall is predicted for the coming week, but those areas that received significant moisture will find fieldwork advancing quite rapidly.
Free State, Mpumalanga, and central portions of Eastern Cape were the wettest areas in South Africa during the past week. Seven day rain totals ending this morning ranged from 0.80 to 2.68 inches. North West and Natal received timely rain, though most of the rain amounts were less than 1.00 inch. Limpopo was mostly dry during the past week. Western Cape only received light rain and most of that was lost to evaporation. However, Western Cape does not need moisture since most of the summer crops are grown in central and eastern portions of the country.
A large majority of Free State and Mpumalanga have adequate moisture to support planting, emergence and establishment. Timely rainfall began in southern Free State early this month before spreading throughout Free State and Mpumalanga during the most recent week. Before the rain, the ground was critically dry throughout South Africa preventing fieldwork and threatening production.
Corn is the primary summer crop grown in South Africa, although soybeans, sunseed, sorghum, cotton and many other crops are grown as well. Planting conditions improved significantly for most areas outside of Limpopo during the past two weeks. However, planting is likely still behind in most areas due to the dry bias earlier in the planting season. Planting normally continues through the end of December leaving plenty of time for further rainfall and more aggressive planting to take place.
Winter wheat harvesting has also advanced favorably in Western Cape in recent weeks. There was little precipitation of significance and temperatures were generally warm favoring the process.
Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and the eastern half of North West will receive timely rain through the beginning of next week. Most areas will receive 0.50 to 2.00 inches of rain with locally greater amounts. There will be little follow up rain for the remainder of next week. Soil conditions will improve slightly, but Limpopo and North West will need additional rain to reverse the dryness.
Other crop production areas will be mostly dry during the coming week. The environment will be mostly favorable for planting and germination. Temperatures will be cooler than normal most often, but will still be warm enough to promote significant drying.
Overall, planting conditions will be mostly favorable in South Africa during the coming week. Many areas will still need additional rain to bolster subsoil moisture and to promote additional planting and early season crop growth.
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