Safrinha Corn 48% Harvested in Parana, Yields Variable

Dry weather in the state of Parana in southern Brazil is accelerating the safrinha corn harvest. The Department of Rural Economics for the state of Parana (Deral) reported that 48% of the safrinha corn in the state had been harvested by earlier this week. Of the remaining corn, 14% is filling grain and 86% is maturing. The corn is rated 18% poor (17% last week), 34% average (31% last week), and 48% good (52% last week).

Corn yields in northern Parana are below expectations due to 30 days of dry weather during the grain filling period. The hardest hit area is northwestern Parana where some of the corn is being cut for silage instead of grain production.

Harvesting is progressing quickly in western Parana with disappointing yields, especially in areas with lighter soils. In southwestern Parana, corn yields are satisfactory but they are declining as the harvest progresses. Parana is the second largest safrinha corn producing state in Brazil after Mato Grosso.

Nationwide, the safrinha corn in Brazil was 34% harvested as of late last week according to AgRural. This represented an advance of 13% from the prior week and is a record fast harvest pace. Dry weather across central Brazil has accelerated the safrinha corn harvest.

Tags: dry weather, harvest, Brazil, yields, safrinha corn, Parana