Argentine corn farmers are facing concerns over a warmer than usual Southern Hemisphere winter, which is expected to undermine their efforts to reduce the population of leafhopper insects that have been damaging the corn crop, according to the Rosario grains exchange (BCR).
Argentina is a major global corn exporter, but local corn yields have been hit by the explosive growth of leafhoppers. These insects feed on plant sap, weakening corn plantings and causing stunted growth and leaf yellowing. They also help spread plant diseases.
Farmers were hoping that cooler weather in the upcoming weeks could help check the growth of leafhoppers, as they do not tolerate temperatures below around 39 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius). However, the BCR forecasts that the upcoming winter weather conditions are unlikely to aid in controlling the pest, with “minimum temperatures at average values or even slightly higher,” according to climate specialist Alfredo Elorriaga.
“A particularly cold year is not expected,” Elorriaga said.
A separate report from the Buenos Aires grains exchange also predicted cooler temperatures from this coming weekend, but they are not expected to fall below 41F (5C) in agricultural areas.
Earlier this month, the BCR had to cut its corn harvest forecast for Argentina by 6.5 million metric tons, settling at 50.5 million tons, citing the damage attributed to the leafhopper outbreak as the reason for the downward revision.
The warmer than usual winter weather conditions are expected to hamper the efforts of Argentine corn farmers to control the leafhopper population, potentially leading to further yield losses and impacting the country’s overall corn production and export capabilities.