South America Calling

Showers have been more absent over Argentina during the last week. Showers need to return soon to make sure that dryness and drought do not take over.

Daily showers and thunderstorms have been ongoing in central Brazil since Sept. 25, though amounts have not been impressive. The continuation of these showers for the foreseeable future points to interesting planting dynamics across the region. Meanwhile, storm systems...

Models have been going through some inconsistencies with regards to precipitation in central Brazil over the last several weeks. Scattered showers moving into the region this weekend and next week may or may not "officially" start the wet season but could get producers out...

Eyes have been on the start to the wet season in central Brazil. What looked to be a possible early start last week does not look that way anymore.

A couple of storm systems have brought some needed rains to Argentina and southern Brazil during the last week. More systems appear to do the same during the next week.

Two late-winter frontal boundaries will spread some showers and cooler conditions back through the southern half of South America during the next seven to 10 days.

The expectation of La Nina to be in place for this spring could be a concern again for corn and soybeans in Argentina and Brazil.

Myriad weather challenges has filled out the second season (safrinha) corn crop from start to end. As more of the damaged crop is harvested, producers in Brazil will likely welcome the end of the season and prepare for the new soybean season.

Frosts from last week and persistent dry weather continue to drive corn production estimates lower across Brazil.

Cold temperatures noted across much of Argentina and Brazil produced frosty morning temperatures which may have hurt filling corn in southern Brazil. Temperatures will rise through the next week, with above normal temperatures by next week.

Despite little shower activity during recent weeks, soil moisture for developing winter wheat has remained quite good in Argentina and portions of southern Brazil.

Rains continue over northern Argentina and southern Brazil, good for some wheat and southern safrinha corn areas. Dryness continues to stress and damage crops across central Brazil.

Some isolated showers fell over southern portions of central Brazil last week, but amounts were not enough to reverse the declining yields. Precipitation over southern Brazil has been and is forecast to continue to have a more positive impact for corn. Argentina is doing better...

Soil moisture continues to decline in Brazil safrinha corn areas ahead of pollination.

Dry forecasts continue to imply poor growing conditions continuing for safrinha corn in Brazil through pollination and grain fill.

Brazil rain has turned well-below normal in April. That trend looks to continue during the important safrinha corn months of May and June.

Central Brazil corn areas have seen only brief dryness easing in the past week. Dryness is set to return to safrinha corn through next week.

A drier period has developed over central and northern Brazil this week. Models indicate that below-normal rainfall could last all the way through April, giving rise to greater concern for a safrinha corn crop that is already behind.

Recent moderate to heavy rainfall over Argentina and southern Brazil has had a significant positive impact on immature corn and soybeans. More showers in the same region through the next week will eat further into drought conditions.

Soybean harvest continues to lag the normal pace, but the rate of progress is normal, given the two-week delay to the start of the main growing season. Dryness in Argentina will continue during the next 10 days while showers in Brazil will become more isolated next week.