South America Calling

Soybean planting in Mato Grosso -- Brazil's No. 1 producing state -- advanced 20 percentage points over last week after showers returned to break a month-long dry spell.

As of Friday, farmers had planted 40.5% of Mato Grosso's projected soybean area, according to the farm-sponsored Mato Grosso Agricultural Economy Institute (IMEA).

However, planting remains well behind schedule. At the same time last year, some 71.7% of the crop had been planted.

The return of rains came as a massive relief to farmers who are in a rush to plant so they can plant second-crop corn afterwards.

In fact, the showers that fell across most of the state over the last 10 days weren't heavy but forecasts indicating regular tropical showers over the next few weeks gave many farmers confidence enough to put the planters in the fields.

Planting was most advanced in the west of the state, where fieldwork is 56.4 completed.

In the center-north, which includes big planting municipalities such as Sorriso, Nova Mutum and Lucas do Rio Verde, planting was 47.3% complete.

The northeast of the state, a fast-growing soy region, received less rain and planting lags badly there. According to IMEA, only 18.2% of the crop had been sown.

If rains return to the east and remain light elsewhere, the majority of planting could be complete in two weeks.

(AG)

© Copyright 2014 DTN/The Progressive Farmer. All rights reserved.