September 20, 2007

Brazil's 2007/08 soy crop planting underway in Mato Grosso

Farmers in Brazil's top soy-producing state of Mato Grosso started planting their soybean crops Tuesday (September 19), after the first rains in weeks.

Approximately 30 millimetres of rain fell in a few areas around Sapezal, prompting a spattering of eager producers to seed their fields.

"Some producers are anxious to plant as soon as possible, so they can harvest their soy in time to plant cotton in January," said Eduardo Godoi, an agronomist at Mato Grosso-based Agencia Rural.

The climate has been uncharacteristically dry for this time of year and there are no guarantees the scattered showers over the weekend will continue, according to local Somar weather service.

Soy growers like internationally known Blairo Maggi, are willing to risk the lack of rain and soil with a lower-than-adequate percentage of humidity, however.

"Producers typically begin planting mid-September, so we are on schedule," Godoi said.

Soy planted in the Mato Grosso state is free from genetic modifications, as most of it is destined for export to the European Union, which has strict regulations regarding GMO.

Brazil is the No. 2 soy exporter behind the US.