Grain Futures: As of 4 p.m. on Dec. 29, corn and soybeans were higher compared to the previous report, but wheat was down.
Corn for March 2015 was $4.1275/bushel, up from $4.11/bushel in the previous report. The May 2015 price for corn was $4.2125/bushel, an increase from $4.195/bushel, while trading of December 2015 corn contracts checked in at $4.3675/bushel, a slight rise from the previous $4.3475/bushel.
The January 2015 soybean price was $10.4175/bushel, up from $10.35/bushel at last report. Soybeans for March 2015 were put at $10.4875/bushel, also higher than the $10.4325/bushel reported in the previous period, while soybeans for November 2015 firmed to $10.245/bushel from the previous $10.1975/bushel.
Wheat for March 2015 was $6.155/bushel, down significantly from the prior period’s $6.5525/bushel. May 2015 wheat was down as well at $6.19/bushel from the previous $6.5675/bushel, and July 2015 wheat contracts fell to $6.2025/bushel from the last reported $6.54/bushel.
Eastern Cornbelt: Although some parts of the Eastern Cornbelt saw snow flurries on Christmas, most of the region enjoyed mild temperatures and calm weather conditions over the Christmas weekend. Much colder weather was reported in northern areas of the region during the final days of 2014, however.
Western Cornbelt: Snow and cold covered parts of Iowa and Nebraska during the final days of 2014.
A post-Christmas storm produced 1-5 inches of snowfall across central and northern Nebraska and parts of northeastern Iowa, and bitterly cold temperatures followed. Cold weather advisories were issued for northern Iowa on Dec. 29-30, with wind chills falling to -20 and -30 in some locations.
California: December brought welcome rainfall to drought-stressed California, but the month ended with a cold snap that threatened frost damage to flower, fruit, and vegetable crops in some areas of the state.
A powerful weather system was expected to bring snow, rain, and freezing temperatures to much of California during the final days of 2014 and the start of 2015. Lows down to the upper teens and mid 20s were predicted for the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys, as well as for parts of the central and northern coasts of California.
Frost advisories were also in effect for parts of Southern California on Dec. 27-28, with more chilly weather expected for the southern counties during the first days of 2015.
The cold weather was accompanied by rain and wet snow in coastal areas and valleys, with heavier snow accumulation reported in the northern Sierra Nevada. Inland areas of the Southwest were also bracing for cold and snow as the week advanced, with several inches of snow likely in Las Vegas and heavier amounts in the mountains of northern Arizona.
The winter weather capped an active month of precipitation in California. San Diego recorded nearly 4.5 inches of rain for the month, which is about 3 inches above normal. Although authorities warned that much more will be needed this winter to alleviate long-term drought in the state, the November and December rainfall was viewed as a promising start.
Pacific Northwest: Winter weather hit the Pacific Northwest with a vengeance in late December, bringing snowfall, high winds, and very cold temperatures.
Snowfall from Winter Storm Frona had reached 18-19 inches at higher elevations in Montana, Idaho, and Washington by Dec. 29, with several inches reported as low as 1,000 feet in northwestern Oregon. The snow was accompanied by very cold temperatures and gusty winds clocked at 50-70 mph in some locations. Parts of Montana and Idaho were bracing for dangerous wind chills on Dec. 29-30, with highs only reaching into the single digits.
Western Canada: