Nov 09, 2021
2021/22 Argentina Corn 28.4% Planted vs. 36.9% Average
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
The corn in Argentina was 28.4% planted as of late last week compared to 30.9% last year and 36.9% average. This represents an advance of only 0.8% for the week. In the core production areas, the corn is 85-90% planted with 20-35% planted in southern Argentina and 0% planted in far northern Argentina. The first phase of corn was 59.8% planted.
The corn was rated 0% poor/very, 18% fair, and 82% good/excellent. The good/excellent percentage was up 9% from the previous week. The soil moisture for the corn was rated 15% short/very short and 85% favorable/optimum. The favorable/optimum percentage was up 9% from the previous week.
Farmers in central Argentina plant their corn in two phases, the first phase is during September and October and the second phase is during December and January. In recent years, farmers have been planting more of their corn during the second phase and this year they may plant as much as 70% of their corn during the second phase, which would be a record high percentage.
Corn planted during the first phase will pollinate close to the summer solstice on December 21st which can be the hottest and driest time of the year, especially during La Nina years. With all the warning this year of potential hot and dry weather resulting from La Nina, farmers in Argentina apparently decided to reduce the weather risk by planting more of their corn during the second phase. In a good year, corn planted during the first phase can have a yield potential of 185-190 bu/ac or greater.
Corn planted during the second phase generally has a lower yield potential, but it is also cheaper to plant and there is a lower risk of adverse weather. Corn planted in December will pollinate in February when temperatures are lower and the days are getting shorter. The late planted corn is cheaper to plant because they utilize less fertilizers with lower plant populations. Yields of 150-160 bu/ac would be considered good yields for corn planted during the second phase.
In northern Argentina, all the corn is planted during the second phase and it is usually planted after the sunflowers are harvested.
Below is the National Corn Planting Progress from the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange. The 2021/22 progress is the black line, the average progress is the white line, and the tan shaded are the maximum and minimum for the last five years.
