South America Calling

Soil moisture across central Brazil is currently below normal for early November. An increasing rainfall forecast for next week needs to verify or we may start to see issues with developing soybeans.

Variable weather conditions are improving soil moisture while allowing for fieldwork to progress quickly.

Though the wet season started on time in central Brazil, rainfall has been inadequate so far. That is changing as showers move into the region, but wet weather farther south is causing concerns as well.

The wet season is starting on time, but mostly due to fronts pressing into central Brazil. El Nino is likely to cause more sparse precipitation this season.

The effects of El Nino hang over South America as planting begins in September.

Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture on Wednesday examined issues around Brazil's production forecasts for 2027. Like U.S. farmers, Brazilian farmers face low commodity prices, as well as high fertilizer and input costs. Brazilians also face tough credit conditions...

Yet another month of below-normal precipitation puts into question how much corn Brazil can produce with its safrinha crop.

Safrinha corn planting is slightly behind schedule, a large concern with limited soil moisture and only about two months of the wet season left.

There are mixed signals for precipitation across Brazil through the end of February, which could influence safrinha (second-crop) corn planting.

Rainfall has been very scant the last several weeks in Argentina, but the weather pattern is picking up in February.

Rainfall has been good enough for soybeans, but not for building soil moisture for the coming safrinha corn crop.

Three straight weeks of falling soil moisture and crop conditions are taking a toll on corn and soybeans in Argentina.

Recent dry weather during the last week has resulted in slight drops in soil moisture and crop conditions for corn and soybeans. That trend is likely to continue.

Though it hasn't been perfect by any means, the weather situation in South America generally remains favorable for crops.

It has finally started raining consistent, heavy amounts across central and northern Brazil.

A front that moves through Argentina and southern Brazil this weekend is forecast to produce widespread precipitation. But that may be the last one for a while, with drier trends in all model solutions.

One more week of good weather for all of South America is in the forecast. But that could be the last one for a while, turning some areas into hot and dry conditions.

Long-range models seem to agree that a flip in the weather pattern will occur in November, bringing heavier rain to central Brazil, but drying out southern Brazil and Argentina.

A strong front this weekend may clear out rain for Southern, Central Brazil next week. Here's how it may affect crops.

After two weeks of nearly no rain, consistent showers are finally starting to build in central Brazil.