December 10, 2007

 

Argentina soy over half planted

 

 

Argentina's 2007-08 soy crop is more than half planted but dry conditions are challenging the young crop, the Agriculture Secretariat said in its weekly crop report on Friday (December 07, 2007).

 

As of Dec. 6, farmers had planted 56 percent of the record 16.6 million hectares seen going to soy this season, 11 percentage points behind the planting pace at this time last year, according to the Secretariat.

 

Dry weather in some areas has slowed planting, according to the Secretariat.

 

As of Dec. 6, farmers had harvested 29 percent of the 2007-08 wheat crop, 13 percentage points behind the harvest pace last season.

 

Frost hit the important wheat-growing provinces of Buenos Aires and La Plata earlier this month, with damage expected to cut yields in some areas, according to the secretariat.

 

The Secretariat sees 2007-08 wheat production of 15.4 million tonnes. The US Department of Agriculture sees 15.5 million tonnes of wheat coming from the Pampas this season.

 

The developing corn crop is lacking moisture and significant rains are needed soon to prevent damage, the Secretariat said.

 

The crop also suffered from the late frost last month, but the young plants are recovered in many areas, according to the Secretariat. Some crops more severely affected will be replanted or turned over to pasture, however.

 

As of Dec. 6, farmers had planted 82 percent of the 4 million hectares seen going to corn this season, three percentage points ahead of the planting pace on the same date last year, according to the Secretariat.

 

As of Dec 6, farmers had planted 93 percent of the 2.6 million hectares seen going to sunseeds this season, two percentage point ahead of the planting pace at this time last year, according to the Secretariat.

 

Estimates for Argentina's 2007-08 crop production in millions of hectares (HA) or millions of tonnes (MT).