Drier weather slows Argentine wheat sowings

Favourable weather allowed Argentine farmers to finish 2010/11 soybean harvesting in some areas last week, but dryness and strong winds slowed down wheat planting work, the Agriculture Ministry said on Friday. Argentina is the world's No 3 soy exporter. The government estimates the current crop at 50.4 million tonnes, down from last year's record 52.7 million tonnes despite a dry spell caused by the La Nina weather anomaly earlier this year.
The weekly government crop report said harvesting had been wrapped up in the district of Bragado in Buenos Aires province, the No 1 soy-growing region, and gathering work advanced swiftly in other areas thanks to favourable weather. "The harvest advanced significantly despite other problems such as a shortage of combine harvesters, trucks and fuel," the report said referring to areas in the Chaco region.
By Thursday, farmers had harvested 97 percent of total soy area, advancing 2 points from a week earlier, but still 1 point behind last season's tempo. The Buenos Aires Grains Exchange estimates the country's soybean crop at 49.2 million tonnes, while the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) foresees a harvest of 49.5 million tonnes.
Argentina is the world's No 2 corn exporter after the United States and farmers in the South American country are also bringing in the 2010/11 corn crop. Damp conditions in recent days have slowed the corn harvest, which the government expects to come in at 20.9 million tonnes. The Buenos Aires Grains Exchange sees corn output of 20 million tonnes while the USDA predicts 22 million tonnes.
By Thursday, farmers had brought in 84 percent of corn area, up 4 points from the previous week and 2 points ahead of last season's gathering pace. With regard to 2011/12 wheat plantings, the report said dryness and strong winds were hampering seeding work in Buenos Aires province, which accounts for more than half of the country's wheat production. "Temperatures are atypical for this time of the year, there's a lack of humidity and strong winds that blow the seeds away," the report said referring to the Patagones and Villarino districts.
Argentina is a leading global wheat exporter and a key supplier to neighbouring Brazil. The government sees farmers dedicating 5 million hectares to the cereal in the 2011/12 campaign. Last season, Argentina produced 14.7 million tonnes of wheat on a sowing area of 4.4 million hectares. The USDA raised its forecast for Argentina's 2011/12 wheat output to 15 million tonnes from 13.5 million tonnes earlier this week.