While Prairie producers are expecting good growing conditions this year, other countries currently struggle with dryness
REGINA — Dry conditions are affecting South American crops, which in turn will affect markets, says agricultural meteorologist Drew Lerner. The recent bump in corn and soybean prices has come from drier weather in Argentina and Brazil, the World Weather Inc. president told a Jan. 7 webinar. Uruguay and parts of Paraguay are also dry. […] Read moreTag Archives Drew Lerner

Meteorologist predicts better growing season
Long-time weather forecaster says drought conditions that caused problems in 2024 aren’t expected to occur this year
REGINA — Drew Lerner says Prairie farmers can expect better growing conditions in 2025. The World Weather Inc. president said North America is moving away from multiple drought years due to several factors. The 22-year solar cycle, in particular, is peaking, which causes weather patterns to change, he told a webinar sponsored by Dutton Farms […] Read more
Dryness delays winter wheat seeding in Russia
Poor soil moisture and limited rainfall mean the crop could enter dormancy in poor shape, resulting in lower yields
SASKATOON — Winter wheat planting is progressing slowly in the world’s largest exporting region. Russian farmers have only managed to seed 20.8 million acres of the crop, which is 11 per cent behind last year and the slowest pace in 11 years, according to SovEcon analyst Andrey Sizov. Related stories: Ukraine’s growers have planted 2.4 […] Read more
La Nina’s return could bring early frost to Prairies
The weather phenomenon’s arrival is not guaranteed, and some believe it would be a weak one if it does materialize
SASKATOON — Farmers in the northern Plains region of North America should keep a close eye on La Nina, says a meteorologist. If it develops this summer as anticipated, it could bring unwelcome weather at the tail end of the growing season. Related stories: “An early frost may be possible there in the Dakotas and […] Read more
U.S. crops off to good start, but will it last?
SASKATOON — Grain crops are off to a nice start in one of the major exporting regions of the world, but weather challenges could lie ahead. Three-quarters of the United States corn crop was rated good to excellent as of June 2. Spring wheat is one percentage point lower at 74 percent good to excellent. […] Read more

All eyes on Russian weather as wheat rebound
Russia is experiencing a rough transition from El Nino to La Nina, which could significantly bite into yields this year
SASKATOON — Wheat futures have gained back much of the ground they lost since the start of the year in the last couple of weeks. And there could be further appreciation on the horizon if World Weather Inc.’s forecast for Russia proves accurate. Related stories: There is a tendency for ridge-building in parts of Russia […] Read more

Dry summer still indicated
SASKATOON — World Weather Inc. believes much of the United States and portions of the Canadian Prairies will experience drought in the summer of 2024. That forecast is based on an analysis of the 18-year lunar cycle. “I’ve looked at six analog years and all six of them have a drier and warmer bias for […] Read more

India extends exemption on pea import restrictions
The southwest monsoon is expected to deliver good rainfall this year
SASKATOON — India is extending its exemption on pea import restrictions to June 30. It had been set to expire on April 30. Farmers in that country are in the midst of harvesting their winter or rabi crop of pulses and it looks like another disappointing crop. The government estimates that growers will harvest 12.2 […] Read more
Signs point to better weather
CALGARY — The weather cycle that brought drought to the Prairies during the past few years will slowly change for the better, a meteorologist predicts. However, Drew Lerner, president and senior agricultural meteorologist at World Weather, Inc., says there could be challenges ahead for producers. This year could be better for some farmers and ranchers […] Read more

Major durum region likely to see better weather
A key durum growing and consuming region of the world should be in better shape in 2024 than it has been the past few years, according to a weather expert. Drew Lerner, president of World Weather Inc., expects El Nino to bring improved growing conditions to North Africa and Spain during the critical part of […] Read more