Argentina dry weather raises concern for Corn and soyabean and crop.

The weather focus in South America has certainly shifted to Argentina. The developing dry weather pattern is of immediate concern in the provinces of Cordoba and Sao Luis. It is more of a longer term concern in the provinces of Santa Fe, Entre Rios, and northern Buenos Aires. Generally, the driest areas are in the western and northwestern production areas, but it now also becoming a concern in the heart of Argentinas production areas. The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange indicated that approximately 37% of the soybean acreage in Argentina is in need of additional moisture. The Rosario Grain Exchange was more pessimistic by stating that parts of Cordoba could already be classified as being in a drought. Cordoba generally produces about a quarter of Argentinas corn and soybeans. Temperatures have been cool thus far in Argentina, so that has reduced the moisture loss from the soil and it has helped to hold down any potential moisture stress. In fact, there were reports of patchy frost as late as this past weekend. The early planted corn in Argentina may be the first crop impacted by the dryness. The early corn will start to pollinate by early to mid-December. If the dryness persists until then, there could be problems with the early pollination.