Early Planted Corn in Argentina Hit Hardest by Drought

The corn planted during September and October was the hardest hit by the hot and dry weather during December and early January. The later planted corn could perform better if the weather would improve going forward.

The corn was 99.1% planted as of late last week with about 50,000 hectares left to plant in northeastern Argentina. The early planted corn is approximately 44% filling grain and 12% mature. A few fields have been harvested in Entre Rios. The later planted corn is approximately 34% pollinating.

The corn in Argentina was rated 34% poor/very poor, 16% fair, and 20% good/excellent. The good/excellent percentage was down 2% from the prior week, so the benefit from the previous rains was short lived. The soil moisture for the corn was rated 46% short/very short and 54% favorable/optimum. The favorable/optimum percentage was down 2 points from the prior week.

Below is the soybean condition rating in Argentina from the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange for February 9, 2023.

2022/23 Argentina Corn Ratings*

*Source: Buenos Aires Grain Exchange – Crop Condition & Development Stages

Tags: dry weather, Argentina, planted, corn