September 11, 2006

Argentina begins 2006/07 corn planting

Argentina has begun planting the 2006/07 corn crop, the Agriculture Secretariat reported Friday (Sep 8).

Seeding began primarily in Entre Rios and Santa Fe provinces, despite adverse weather conditions, the Secretariat said.

Insufficient moisture and cold temperatures were affecting planting, according to the secretariat.

Argentina will plant an estimated 3.2-3.3 million hectares with corn during the 2006/07 crop cycle, up 3 percent from 3.18 million hectares in 2005/06, the Secretariat said.

The US Department of Agriculture forecasts Argentina's 2006/07 corn production at 17.5 million tonnes.

The Secretariat estimates 2005/06 corn production of 14.5 million tonnes, down 29.3 percent from the record 20.5 million tonnes produced the previous year.