Dry Weather Worries Corn Farmers in Southern Brazil

Recent dry weather has farmers in Brazil concerned about their safrinha corn production. The state of Parana is the second largest safrinha corn producing state in Brazil and the safrinha corn in the state is rated 22% in vegetative development, 37% pollinating, 39% filling grain, and 2% maturing according to the Department of Rural Economics (Deral). The corn is rated 9% average and 91% good.

In northern Parana, the last significant rain occurred at the end of April and 20% of the corn in the region is filling grain. In the northwest and center-west regions of Parana, farmers are expecting reduced yields due to dryness, especially on sandier soils.

In the southwestern part of the state, the soil moisture is declining and there is little rainfall in the forecast. In southern areas, the dry conditions are jeopardizing the corn that is filling grain.

The Brazilian consulting agency Agroconsult recently increased their estimate of the safrinha corn crop1.0 million tons to 102.4 million based on good yields in central Brazil. They also indicated the states of Parana, Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Mato Grosso do Sul combined represent 31% of Brazil’s safrinha corn production and that there are 20 million tons of potential production that could still be impacted by adverse weather.

Tags: Brazil, Production, rain, dry weather, safrinha corn, Parana