Dec 13, 2022
2022/23 Brazil Soybeans 95% Planted vs. 96% Last Year
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Rainfall over the weekend favored northern and central growing areas. The rainfall continues to improve soil moisture in many areas except for parts of Rio Grande do Sul where dryness persists. The rainfall has still been irregular in many areas and farmers would like to see additional rainfall especially for the early maturing soybeans that are currently filling pods.
The 2022/23 Brazil soybeans were 95% planted as of late last week compared to 96% last year according to AgRural. This represents an advance of 4% for the week. The only areas left to plant are Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil and northeastern Brazil.
Mato Grosso - The Mato Grosso Institute of Agricultural Economics (Imea) trimmed their estimate of the 2022/23 soybean yields in the state. They are now estimating the statewide soybean yield at 58.5 sacks per hectare (52.3 bu/ac) which is down 0.8% from their prior estimate. They indicated that the lower yield was the result of poorly distributed rain during the month of November that left some areas dry for prolonged periods of time. The forecast for this week is for improved chances of rain across Mato Grosso. Some of the early maturing soybeans in the state should be harvested within 4-5 weeks.
Parana - The soybeans in Parana were 99% planted as of earlier last week according to the Department of Rural Economics (Deral). The soybeans were 2% germinating, 72% in vegetative development, 23% flowering, and 3% filling pods. The soybeans are rated 1% poor, 8% average, and 91% good.
In the municipality of Cascavel in western Parana, the soybean planting started early, but wet weather in October and early November slowed the planting and the lack of sunshine slowed the development of the crop. Since then, pockets of dryness have developed and the crop development has been irregular.
Goias - In the municipality of Rio Verde in southwestern Goias, farmers are concerned about the recent dry weather. The summer rains arrived early in southwestern Goias and farmers started planting their soybeans in September. The rainfall diminished during the second half of October and many areas remained generally dry during November.
According to the vice-president of the Rural Union of Rio Verde, it will be difficult for farmers in the region to repeat their yields of last year which averaged in the range of 60 to 63 sacks per hectare (53.6 to 56.3 bu/ac). He feels the soybean harvest will start between January 15th and 18th. If verified, that should allow enough time to plant the safrinha corn within the ideal planting window.
Rio Grande do Sul - Farmers in Rio Grande do Sul are still in the process of planting their 2022/23 soybeans. Dry weather in the central and southern areas are of particular concern.
Mato Grosso do Sul - The soybeans in Mato Grosso do Sul were 100% planted as of earlier last week according to Aprosoja/MS. The planting was only slightly delayed this year and the soybeans in general are rated 3% average and 97% good. The most advanced soybeans are filling pods and the president of Aprosoja/MS is expecting a good crop. The Brazilian National Weather Service (Inmet) is forecasting below normal rainfall in the southwestern part of the state for December-January-February. In contrast, they are forecasting above normal rainfall in the northern part of the state for the same period.