February 7, 2006

 

Argentina's 2005/06 corn crop 99.6 percent planted

 

 

Argentina's farmers had planted 99.6 percent of the 2005/06 corn crop by Saturday, the Buenos Aires Cereals Exchange reported Monday.

 

This lifts the planting pace slightly from 99 percent a week ago.

 

The Exchange expects farmers to sow 15.2 percent less corn this year because of low corn prices, bad weather and high planting costs. The Exchange sees area this season at 2.23 million hectares, compared with 2.63 million hectares a year ago.

 

The Exchange expects the harvest to a maximum of 14 million tonnes, which would be a 29 percent decline from 2004/05. Yields are expected to decline about 16 percent because of dry weather during critical phases of the planting season.

 

The 2005/06 area, including corn grown for use as animal feed, will total 2.85 million hectares, the Exchange has said.

 

As of Saturday farmers had sown 2.22 million hectares, the Exchange said.

 

In 2004/05 Argentina produced a record 19.7 million tonnes, according to the Exchange. Good weather, improved use of agri-chemicals and better use of seed varieties helped increase yields to record levels.

 

The USDA has forecast Argentina's 2005/06 corn output at 16.8 million tonnes with an average yield of 7.2 tonnes/hectare.

 

Argentina's corn association, Maizar, says production this season will likely total 14 million tonnes.

 

Argentines plant corn September through January and harvest it May through August.