However, much of the crop is irrigated, and near average yields were achieved last year despite similarly poor precipitation. Sindh harvest began in mid-March. Punjab harvest typically begins during April, but this season's cooler temperatures may cause minor delays. Increased wheat area likely would come at the expense of sugarcane, canola, and sunflower plantings. More area will be planted to wheat as a result of the curtailed cotton picking season due to higher wheat prices this season.
Wheat typically follows cotton in much of the growing region.
The rain fed crop typically accounts for only 16 percent of production. Soil moisture was adequate to good, as most areas received winter rains prior to planting. However, given that the crop is irrigated, availability of irrigation supplies is a more crucial factor than precipitation during the critical pollination stage. The rainfed crop in the west will suffer yield declines this season, while in the east, the main irrigated Pujab growing area, appears to have a similar vegetation coverage and health pattern as last season even with reduced rainfall amounts. Temperatures were significantly cooler compared to last season throughout all of the wheat region.