Sep 23, 2022

Spring Arrives in Brazil with Improved Chances of Rainfall

Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.

With the official start of spring in the Southern Hemisphere, farmers in Brazil are encouraged by the improved chances of rainfall. Over the past three days, rainfall has been recorded in Brazil's three southern states of Parana, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul as well as in Mato Grosso do Sul. These were the heaviest rains thus far marking the end of the annual dry season.

Amounts were generally in the range of 20 mm to 30 mm (0.8 to 1.2 inches). Rainfall amounts in southern Brazil are forecasted to increase over the next seven days and the soil moistures in southern Brazil are now adequate for the start of spring planting.

In the state of Parana, farmers have planted 47% of their 2022/23 first corn crop and 6% of their 2022/23 soybeans.

Rainfall in central Brazil was lighter this week with scattered amounts of 15 mm to 20 mm (0.6 to 0.8 inches), but the forecast for the next seven days is calling for improved chances of rainfall across the states of Mato Grosso and Goias in central Brazil with the possibility of several inches of precipitation.

Farmers in central Brazil generally like to hold off planting until they receive at least 1-2 inches of precipitation to ensure adequate germination and stand establishment. If the forecast verifies, most areas of central Brazil should have adequate soil moisture for widespread planting by the first week of October. Farmers in Mato Grosso for example, were allowed to start planting their 2022/23 soybeans on September 16th.

While current conditions look promising for planting, farmers are still concerned that a third consecutive year of La Nina could result in dryer-than-normal conditions across southern Brazil during October-November-December. La Nina has resulted in dryer conditions across southern Brazil for the last two growing season resulting in disappointing yields.