South America Calling

Weather patterns over Argentina and southern Brazil have been following a La Nina pattern this spring, ahead of its declaration by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology that occurred Nov. 23. December looks to continue that pattern, which is a concern for corn and soybean...

The first half of November has been fairly generous to many producers in Argentina. But La Nina continues to assert its influence on South American weather. Typical drier stretches being broken up by occasional quick fronts are the norm going into summer.

Isolated showers this week took the bite out of the return to a La Nina pattern in Argentina this week. A couple of active fronts will move through the region this weekend into early next week.

A break from the La Nina pattern over Argentina is coming to a close. But showers will not completely dry up going into next week.

Dryness and the La Nina pattern across Argentina and southern Brazil is going to take a break this weekend into next week.

With thoughts of last season firmly in mind for Brazil producers, planting progress has advanced well ahead of schedule. Weather has cooperated with these efforts.

It has taken a while, but the Pacific Ocean has started to influence the weather pattern in South America like we expect.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.