Dec 17, 2024
2024/25 Argentina Soy 64% Planted; Weather Turning Worrisome
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
It looks like farmers in Argentina are not going to switch as many hectares of late-planted corn to soybeans as anticipated. Originally, farmers indicated that they would plant less corn out of fear that corn leafhoppers could disseminate corn like last growing season. Leafhopper numbers remain low (at least for now) giving farmers more confidence to plant corn.
Mostly dry weather prevailed across Argentina over the weekend. The weather in Argentina continues to be categorized by light and scattered showers which have led to minor improvement in soil moisture. Below normal rainfall and above normal temperatures are expected in central and southern Argentina over the next two weeks which could stress corn and soybeans.
The Argentine weather is starting to look more problematic. There has been enough rainfall thus far for early crop development, but more rainfall will be needed as the crops develop and summer temperatures start to heat up. The best chances for rainfall this week will be in western and northern Argentina.
Soybeans in Argentina were 64.7% planted as of late last week compared to 59.5% last year. This represents an advance of 11% for the week. In the core production area, the soybeans are approximately 90% planted with 40-60% planted in southern Argentina and less than 10% planted in far northern Argentina. Approximately 30% of the double crop soybeans have been planted and some of the earliest planted soybeans are starting to flower.
Below is the soybean planting progress in Argentina for December 11, 2024 from the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange.
Soybeans in Argentina are rated 1% poor/very poor, 34% fair, and 65% good/excellent. The good/excellent percentage is up 1% compared to the prior week. Soil moisture for soybeans is rated 6% short/very short and 94% adequate/optimum. The adequate/optimum percentage is down 3% compared to the prior week. Below is the soybean rating in Argentina for December 11, 2024 from the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange.
In the December WASDE Report, the USDA increased the 2024/25 Argentina soybean estimate 1.0 million tons to 52.0 million.
2022/23 Argentina Soybean Ratings*
| Condition | Soil Moisture | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poor/V. Poor % | Good/Excellent % | Short/V Short | Favorable/Optimum | |
| Nov 27, 2024 | 0 (2) | 54 (36) | 2 (16) | 98 (84) |
| Dec 4, 2024 | 0 (2) | 64 (36) | 2 (16) | 97` (84) |
| Dec 11, 2024 | 1 (4) | 65 (30) | 6 (13) | 94` (86) |
*Source: Buenos Aires Grain Exchange – Crop Condition & Development Stages