Sep 23, 2021
Brazilian Farmers Starting to Plant their 2021/22 Soybeans
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Farmers in Mato Grosso are now allowed to start planting their 2021/22 soybeans if they feel they have received enough rainfall for germination and stand establishment. A few farmers in western Mato Grosso have received enough rainfall to start planting while most have not. The Mato Grosso Institute of Agricultural Economics (Imea) reported last Friday that 0.28% of the soybeans in the state had been planted which is equal to the 5-year average. Many of the soybeans that have been planted are irrigated.
These early planted soybeans in western Mato Grosso will be followed by a second crop of cotton. Since cotton has a longer growing season, the ideal planting window for a second crop of cotton closes by the end of January. The ideal planting window for a second crop of corn closes about February 20th. The soybeans that are being planted now will be ready for harvest in late December or early January.
In addition to waiting for rainfall, some farmers are still waiting for delivery of their fertilizers and chemicals due to supply chain problems and logistical bottlenecks at Brazilian ports. In some cases, farmers are even waiting for delivery of previously purchased equipment which has been delayed due to material shortages and Covid-19 restrictions.
In the municipality of Campos de Julio in western Mato Grosso, farmers have forward contracted 35% to 40% of their anticipated production
In the state of Parana in southern Brazil, farmers have planted 3% of their intended 2021/22 soybeans as of earlier this week according to the Department of Rural Economics (Deral). Most of the soybeans planted thus far have been in the southern part of the state where the rainfall has been better.
Mato Grosso is Brazil's largest soybean producing state followed by Parana.