Heavy rains and flooding have continued to disrupt field work and impact crop operations in Brazil’s southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, according to the state’s crop agency, Emater.
As of this week, soybean farmers have harvested 91% of their area, up from 85% the previous week. However, this still lags the historical average of 97% for this time of year. The delayed harvest has been caused by the persistent wet weather that has plagued the region for weeks.
The wet conditions have also impacted the delivery of freshly harvested soybeans to drying and storage facilities. Some of the soybeans are arriving with a humidity level of nearly 30%, well above the optimal 14% required for proper storage. Limited drying capacity is creating a bottleneck for farmers.
The corn harvest has also been slowed, advancing 4% in the past week to reach 92% of the cultivated area. However, the remaining corn crop is starting to show signs of disease, making it urgent for farmers to complete the harvest.
Similarly, 10% of the rice crop in Rio Grande do Sul remains in the fields, down from 14% the previous week, but the prolonged wet weather is a concern.
Emater also noted that some storage silos have been lost to the floods, creating feed shortages that are primarily affecting the supply for dairy cows in the Vales and Central regions.
The continued disruptions to the soybean, corn, and rice harvests, as well as the challenges with drying and storage capacity, highlight the significant impact the persistent rains have had on agricultural operations in southern Brazil. This could potentially affect the overall output of these important crops in the region.