South America Calling

Rainfall patterns across much of Brazil remain active with frequent episodes of scattered showers and thunderstorms in most major growing areas.

If this pattern continues into January, it will become unfavorable for maturing soybeans in the Mato Grosso with increasing disease pressure and disruptions to the early harvest.

The weather pattern has been turning drier in the major corn and soybean areas of central Argentina. This has favored planting, but is depleting soil moisture. For the most part, the weather has not been hot until Monday when temperatures reached 95 to 100 Fahrenheit. Hot weather is expected during the latter part of the week and will further deplete soil moisture, increasing crop stress.

However, the models have been consistent in forecasting increasing episodes of scattered showers and thunderstorms over the weekend and next week. This will be very timely and beneficial rainfall.

Michael Palmerino can be reached at michael.palmerino@dtn.com

(ES)

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