YES.
In the last 10 days, a strong cold snap hit much of the US, including the winter wheat area. In Kansas (the heart of winter wheat production), the minimum temperature was below -20°C (-5°F), a temperature that exposes crops to risk of damage due to intense cold. In addition, the snow depth was low, below 5 cm, insufficient to protect the crops from the strong cold snap in the region.
Is there an estimated loss due to this cold snap?
NOT YET.
In Kansas, the lowest temperature of the month was recorded on February 16, when the minimum temperature was -23.58°C (-10.44°F). On the same day, the snow depth was only 3.35 cm (1.32 in), insufficient to protect crops from damage. With that, it can be said that the climatic conditions were bad enough to cause damage to crop, although these damages have not yet been quantified. In 2007, the year in which there was a similar event (although with less intensity), the loss of the planted area in Kansas was 17% (the biggest loss since, at least, 2001), in addition, the yield was poor in this year. However, there may have been other events that contributed to the poor yield in 2007. But the cold snap in the current season (recorded in the last few days) had a higher intensity, that is, the potential for damage to crops due to this event it is bigger than what happened in 2007. To monitor.
(source: Geosys; Agriquest)
