Soybean Yields Down 25% in Caarapo, Mato Grosso do Sul

In the municipality of Caarapo in southern Mato Grosso do Sul, the 2023/24 soybean harvest is 90% complete and farmers are reporting yield losses of 25% to 27%. According to the president of the Rural Union of Carrapo/MS, farmers in the municipality are reporting yields in the range of 45 to 50 sacks per hectare (40 to 44.7 bu/ac) compared to a normal yield of approximately 60 sacks per hectare (53.6 bu/ac).

The problem this growing season was irregular rainfall and hot and dry weather during critical reproductive period for soybeans. Farmers are only selling the minimum needed to pay immediate bills as they wait for improved soybean prices.

Farmers have planted approximately 70% of their safrinha corn, which is ahead of the normal pace. Farmers may reduce their safrinha corn acreage 10% to 15% due to low corn prices and instead plant grain sorghum, millet, or oats.

Tags: Mato Grosso do Sul, harvest, rainfall, soybeans, dry weather, yield, safrinha corn