During the October 2022 to January 2023 reporting period, the harvests of maize and soybean were completed, and winter wheat was sown. Overall, crop conditions for winter wheat were below average.

North America has experienced close to average conditions, with below average rainfall (-1%) and RADPAR (-2%), and above average temperature (+0.6°C), while potential biomass was 5% above average. During the previous monitoring period, severe drought conditions affected the region from the Canadian Prairies to the Southern Plains. Although drought conditions have improved in these areas during the current observation period, the minimum Vegetation Health Index (VHIm) indicates that drought conditions still exist, particularly in North Texas and Kansas. The negative deviation in potential biomass (<-20%) also confirms the negative impact of drought on crops in these areas. Poor crop conditions are reflected in Kansas with a VCIx below 0.5. Conditions in other regions were close to average. The maximum Vegetation Condition Index (VCIx) reached 0.72, but the Cropped Arable Land Fraction (CALF) for the whole region was significantly below average (-9%). It is still too early to predict the variation of winter crop yields.

In summary, crop conditions for winter wheat in North America were below average due to persistent drought conditions in North Texas and Kansas.

Figure 2.2 North America MPZ: Agroclimatic and agronomic indicators, October 2022-January 2023

(a) Spatial distribution of rainfall profiles

(b) Spatial distribution of temperature profiles

(c) Cropped and uncropped arable land

(d) Potential biomass departure from 5YA

(e) Maximum VCI

(f) VHI Minimum