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Hot and dry conditions slow soybean planting in central Brazil

Hot and dry conditions are expected to slow soybean planting in central Brazil. 

Michael Cordonnier with Soybean and Corn Advisor says while that type of weather is common this time of year, it’s been more extreme.

“The farmers there want to get at least 2, 3, 4 inches of rain to make sure they’ve got enough for germination and stand establishment, so it’s going to be slow in central Brazil.”

He tells Brownfield Brazilian soybean farmers could still have normal yields if the weather cooperates later in the growing season, but planting delays will impact second-crop corn.

“So if you plant your soybeans late, you’re guaranteed to plant your corn late. And that is a big problem for the second crop of corn in Brazil, and that second crop accounts for like 75 percent of the total corn production in Brazil.”

Cordonnier says Argentina is also in a dry cycle that could result in fewer corn acres as well.