Jun 15, 2026
Brazilian Farmers Seeking Longer Cycle Soybeans for 2026/27 Crop
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
According to the Brazilian seed company Boa Safra, Brazilian farmers are seeking longer cycle soybeans and varieties more resistant to dry weather hoping to avoid the risk of low yields due to dry weather from the developing El Nino.
Odds are increasing that the developing El Nino might be extra strong and peak in intensity in December or January. An El Nino usually results in dryer-than-normal conditions in central and northern Brazil and wetter-than-normal conditions in southern Brazil. Dry weather during the October to December period could be problematic for soybeans when the crop is trying to get established and dryer weather in December and January could negatively impact the crop during pod filling.
Farmers in Mato Grosso are allowed to start planting their 2026/27 soybeans on September 7th. If they plant short cycle soybeans as soon as they are allowed, the crop will be in its critical pod filling period during December and January, just when El Nino may reach its peak intensity.
When you plant short cycle soybeans (95-day maturity for example), a 10-day period of hot and dry weather during pod filling can significantly impact yields.
If they plant longer cycle soybeans, the crop will be filling pods in January and February after El Nino has peaked. Either way, Brazilian farmers are being advised to diversify the maturities of their soybeans and avoid planting all their soybeans in a short period of time to mitigate risk from dry weather later in the growing season.
Choosing longer cycle soybeans though could have an impact on safrinha corn production. If farmers choose longer cycle soybeans, the planting window for safrinha corn would be shorter, increasing the risk of lower corn yields. In recent years, farmers migrated to short cycle soybeans specifically because they wanted to plant safrinha corn as early as possible.
The CEO of Boa Safra indicated that Brazilian farmers are willing to buy cheaper technology seed, still, they are seeking material with insecticide and fungicide treatment. Boa Safra supplies approximately 10% of the area planted to soybeans in Brazil, or 5 million hectares.