Oct 13, 2021
2021/22 Brazil First Corn Crop 38% Planted vs. 39% Last Year
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
The first corn crop in Brazil was 38% planted as of late last week compared to 39% last year according to AgRural. This represents an advance of 5% for the week.
Parana - Farmers in the state had planted 75% of their first corn crop as of earlier last week compared to 65% last year according to the Department of Rural Economics (Deral). The corn was 23% germinating and 77% in vegetative development and the corn was rated 2% average and 98% good.
Rio Grande do Sul - Emater reported that 62% of the corn had been planted as of late last week compared to 58% last year and 54% average. Technicians from Emater are advising farmers to look for the presence of corn leafhoppers in their fields and to take preventative measures if they are found. Last year, the pest caused significant damage especially to the later planted corn.
Minas Gerais - The state received rainfall over the weekend and there is more rain in the forecast. This has improved the soil moisture enough to encourage farmers in the state to start planting their first corn crop and soybeans.
Mato Grosso do Sul - In their weekly bulletin, the Agriculture & Livestock Confederation of Mato Grosso do Sul (Famasul) summarized last year's safrinha corn crop indicating that yields were down 48.9% to an average of 47.7 sacks per hectare (45.5 bu/ac) compared to initial expectations of 75 sacks per hectare (71.5 bu/ac). The problem was a prolonged drought and early frosts that impacted the crop before it had a chance to mature. The corn yield in 2019/20 was 93.4 sacks per hectare (89.1 bu/ac).
The corn price in the state at the start of October was R$ 81.75 per sack (approximately $6.90 per bushel) compared to R$ 62.42 per sack (approximately $5.25) in October of 2020, or an increase of 31%. Farmers in the state have sold 70.5% of their 2020/21 safrinha corn which is 14% higher than last year at this time.