This years VHI index

[vrbuck]

All in All last year looks like a bigger crop year.  The only difference is the test weight issues and lack of growing degree units last year.

[jec22]

Can you post the same maps for Russia?

[swiz1979842]

I think if you put up the yearly change map, it will be much easier to compare one year to the other.

[vrbuck]

This is one monster country but yes yields are less how much is up to the experts.

[67guy]

I don't know.  They look pretty similar to me.  The one big difference at least in Illinois is that we are about 40 days ahead maturity wise versus last year with a very similar looking VHI.  Not sure what it means but that makes it a little difficult to compare the two years.

[swiz1979842]

Good morning 67. What I meant was that on the government site for VHI (its called STAR or something like that), you can pull down a map that "figures" the change between last year and this for north america. The last time I checked,  it appeared to not look as good this year. If I were not so computer illiterate, I would post it myself. But this morning it says that the data is not available, maybe they are in the process of changing the colors on us.  :~)

[Mark, ncIA]

VH vs. last year, brown less healthy, blue better.  Thanks swiz, that's pretty cool.  vrbuck, what's your take? I know you watch these more than most.  No surprise to me the brown over SoIA & nMO.  What's up with the brown over the nw 1/3 of IA and swMN?  Too much water there too?  The dark brown horizontal strip in ncIA is the extreme heavy rain area here.

If this thing has any correlation to final, I'd say we've only just begun, lol.  Neat stuff, who knows?

[swiz1979842]

Thanks Mark,

Where did you find that. I can not seem to locate it now. Maybe they have moved the page---you know the government---can't seem to leave things alone. Have a good day.

[67guy]

Those are great maps guys.  Thanks very much for posting them.  Kind of an eye opener actually.  Keep them coming.

[Mark, ncIA]

Like many gov't sites. it's not the easiest to navigate, esp when I don't know what I'm doing or looking for?  I just googled swiz's words and got there.

http://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/smcd/emb/vci/VH/vh_browse.php

Lots of options at the top, to play with.  Enjoy!