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January 12, 2000
MOISTURE CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR MAJORITY
OF ARGENTINA’S
CORN CROP
Argentina’s 1999/2000 corn production is estimated at 15.5 million tons, unchanged this month but up15 percent from last season. Harvested area is estimated at 3.1 million hectares, up 22 percent from last season.
Corn planting, as of January 7, was 92 percent complete according to the Argentine Agricultural Secretariat, compared to 95 - 99 percent during the same time in the previous 3 years. Low moisture conditions in previous months had caused some planting delays and slowed crop development. However, beneficial rainfall that occurred during mid- to late-December improved soil moisture conditions and allowed planting in the main-growing region to be completed. The rainfall was also beneficial for crop development. Current crop stage varies from vegetative to silking.
In southern Buenos Aires, La Pampa and Cordoba, rainfall has supported normal crop development. Analysis indicates that close to 80 percent of the total corn crop received adequate moisture in December (Figure 1), while approximately 5 percent of the crop received less than 50 percent of normal precipitation (Figure 2). In northern Buenos Aires and Entre Rios provinces and parts of Santa Fe province, dry subsoil conditions continue to be of concern. Average maximum temperatures in December (Figure 3) were predominantly to the north of the main corn-growing region.
For more information, contact Maria Anulacion with the Production Estimates and Crop Assessment Division on (202) 690-0139 or by e-mail at AnulacionM@fas.usda.gov.
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