Mar 26, 2024
2023/24 Argentina Corn 3.7% Harvested
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
The corn in Argentina experienced the same weather as the soybeans, but the corn was probably not as negatively impacted as the soybeans. The extent of crop damage will only become evident once the water has drained.
The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange lowered their corn estimate last week by 2.5 million tons to 54.0 million citing problems with corn leafhoppers and the spread of corn stunt disease.
Corn in Argentina was 3.7% harvested as of late last week, which represents an advance of 0.5% for the week. The yields thus far are averaging 8,690 kg/ha (138 bu/ac) with a top regional yield of 9,820 (156 bu/ac) in the northern core region where the corn is 14% harvested.
The corn in Argentina was rated 21% poor/very poor, 55% fair, and 24% good/excellent as of late last week. The good/excellent percentage was down 1% compared to the prior week. The soil moisture for the corn was rated 21% short/very short, 77% favorable/optimum, and 2% saturated. The favorable/optimum percentage was up 1% from the prior week. Below is the Argentina corn rating for March 21, 2024 from the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange.
One of the reasons why the corn rating in Argentina has been lower than the soybean rating is the presence of corn stunt disease (Spiroplasma kunkelii), which is a bacterial disease spread by corn leafhoppers. Once the plant is stunted, it does not recover and yields are negatively impacted. Below are pictures of corn leafhoppers in corn. The pest is becoming a more widespread problem in Argentina and Brazil.
2023/24 Argentina Corn Ratings*
| Condition | Soil Moisture | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poor/V. Poor % | Good/Excellent % | Short/V Short | Favorable/Optimum | |
| Feb. 14, 2024 | 17 (45) | 27 (11) | 26 (55) | 74 (45) |
| Feb. 21, 2024 | 15 (51) | 28 (9) | 29 (60) | 71 (40) |
| Feb. 28, 2024 | 13 (56) | 30 (6) | 24 (63) | 76 (37) |
| Mar. 6, 2024 | 13 (59) | 29 (5) | 23 (65) | 77 (35) |
| Mar. 13, 2024 | 17 (60) | 25 (7) | 23 (63) | 76 (37) |
| Mar. 21, 2024 | 21 (58) | 24 (5) | 21 (55) | 77 (45) |
*Source: Buenos Aires Grain Exchange – Crop Condition & Development Stages